Later this
month Rabbi Z and I will be flying to Israel to represent you and the American
Jewish community as part of the ARZA delegation attending the World Zionist
Congress. Once again I want to thank all of you who voted in the elections and
allowed The Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) to be the largest
group in the US delegation attending the Congress.
In preparation
for this event the American Zionist Movement (AZM) brought together all of the
145 US delegates for 2 days of preparation in New York. This gathering included
all of the different denominational groupings and all of the various political parties;
so that we gathered together as Secular, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform,
together with those both on the right and left of the political spectrum (with
everyone in between).
As we sat
together in that room it was clear that we disagreed on many issues. We had
different visions for the future of the State of Israel, we differed on what
policies would be best for creating a secure Israel, and we disagreed about the
rights of minorities, and the subject of religious freedom. And yet the AZM
brought us all together in one room because they recognized that we are at
least united by a love of Israel.
In one of the presentations, Professor Arnold Eisen, the Chancellor
of The Jewish Theological Seminary, spoke to us about what it means to be a
Zionist today. He suggested that the important faith uniting the Jewish people
is Am Yisrael Chai – the People of
Israel live. He said that we have to go on living because we are the bearers of
something uniquely precious and we are not going to let them stop us.
Professor Eisen
found a way to articulate a faith that all of the delegates in the room could
agree upon, despite our political and religious differences.
Sitting with
those other delegates it was clear that there were some with whom I have very serious
ideological differences; in some cases I would go so far as to suggest we
oppose each other on vital issues of Israel and our Jewish future. But we were
able to sit together and explore the points of agreement to see where we could
find communality. And more importantly we were able to find a way to talk
together in a way that was (on the whole) respectful.
As a Jewish
community it may often be very difficult for us to speak with one voice, but we
have to find a way to listen to each other in a way that does not seek to
silence anyone who disagrees with our perspective or point of view.
Historically there have always been disagreements and differences of opinion within
the Jewish community, but we have always flourished the most when we have
allowed the different voices to be heard in a respectful way. It doesn’t mean
that we have to agree about everything, but it does mean that we should at
least allow others to speak and to listen to what they have to say.
Having attended
the two previous World Zionist Congresses unfortunately respect is not a word
that I would use to describe this storied gathering. I hope that this time it
will be different, and I know that with the American Zionist Movement bringing
all of the groupings together they have at least done their bit to try and
encourage better relations and dialogue within our Jewish community.
Only when we can come together in support of one another, even if
we are not in agreement, can we truly assert Am Yisrael Chai – the
people of Israel lives, and then we won’t only be living, but we will be
flourishing.
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