Soul of Israel

The Soul of Israel explores the eternal wisdom of the Bible applied to Israel's mission, identity and resilience and the Jews' impact on civilisation. Join me in learning about the profound teachings that have shaped history and current events.

These weekly insights can be accessed on:

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/jeffrey-levine/

https://soulofisrael.substack.com/

I aim to use these blogs as a base for a book.

The Soul of Israel Before and After October 7th

– A Journey Through the Parsha, the Jewish Calendar, and the Heart of a Nation

What is the soul of Israel? How does the rhythm of the weekly Torah portion (parsha) and the Jewish calendar shape the Jewish people and their destiny?

In The Soul of Israel, Jeffrey Levine weaves together history, ethics, and personal experiences from Cape Town, London, Ra’anana, and Jerusalem, offering a profound reflection on the Jewish journey. Guided by the wisdom of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, this book connects the ancient wisdom of the Torah to the challenges and triumphs of modern Israel.

Through the lens of Shabbat, The Jewish holidays, Yom Hashoah , Yom Ha’atzmaut, Jerusalem Day, Tu B’Shvat, and Tisha B’Av, The Soul of Israel explores themes of faith, resilience, leadership, and moral responsibility—revealing how the Jewish past and present intertwine to shape the future.

Levine explores how the teachings of the past light the path forward for Israel and the Jewish people.

• Faith and leadership in times of war—What do the Torah and Jewish history teach us about survival?

• The moral dilemmas of a Jewish state—How do we balance security, justice, and identity?

• The role of Shabbat, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Jerusalem Day, —How does the Jewish calendar give meaning to triumphs and tragedies?

• The responsibility of the Jewish people post-October 7th—What does resilience look like today?

"The soul of Israel is not just in its land—it is in its people, its values, and its eternal mission. Through exile and return, through destruction and rebuilding, our teachings have guided us. Now, they must guide us again."

About the Author

Jeffrey Levine is a CFO, author, and thought leader exploring the intersection of Jewish ethics, business, and identity. With a career spanning global finance and a deep passion for Jewish history and resilience, he brings a unique perspective to the challenges of modern Israel. His writings have appeared in The Times of Israel, and he is the founder of Upgrading ESG, a platform dedicated to ethical business and sustainability.

I invite you to follow me on my substack Channel