Join us at this week's meeting of the Philosophy Club virtually or in-person (Auerbach 320) this Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. as Amita Jarmon talks about her life as a peacemaker in Israel.
To join the meeting online, click here.
Amita grew up in Amherst and immigrated to Israel in 1983. After a year on a kibbutz, she received a degree in Physical Therapy from Tel Aviv University in 1987. For a variety of reasons, she returned to the United States in 1988. After working as a physical therapist for 11 years in Philadelphia and Western Mass, she entered the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1999, graduating in 2004. From 2004–09, she served as full-time rabbi of a synagogue in midcoastal Maine.
Throughout her 21 years back in the US, she felt a call to return to Israel — at times faint and at times very strong. She finally took the leap and moved back to Jerusalem in July 2009.
Between 2011–21, she worked as a physical therapist in 8 nursing homes in Jerusalem. She loved working with Jewish elders from many lands and cultures, and with her Israeli and Palestinian co-workers. They all worked together harmoniously for the good of the patients. While in Israel, Amita was very involved with various Israeli-Palestinian groups, among them The Sulha Peace Project, Rabbis for Human Rights, Seeds of Peace, Tag Me'ir, and many other ad hoc groups, many demonstrations, many events. Her relationships with Palestinians from within Israel, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, were a central piece of her life there.
She returned to Massachusetts unexpectedly in November 2021, to be near her ailing parents, who have both since transitioned to whatever lies beyond this life. She has visited Israel each year, most recently in Sept./Oct. 2025, where in addition to visiting friends, she participated in Protective Presence in the West Bank with Torat Tzedek. She is excited to come speak with us about her experiences in Israel, and to answer any questions you may have.
The University of Hartford Philosophy Club has an informal, jovial atmosphere. It is a place where students, professors, and people from the community at large meet as peers. Sometimes presentations are given, followed by discussion. Other times, topics are hashed out by the whole group.
Presenters may be students, professors, or people from the community. Anyone can offer to present a topic. The mode of presentation may be as formal or informal as the presenter chooses.
Come and go as you wish. Bring friends. Suggest topics and activities. Take over the club! It belongs to you! Just show up! - Brian Skelly bskelly@hartford.edu 413-273-2273