Rabbi's Column

Israel: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Again

In January of 2001, I visited Israel for the fifth time. My first visit, at a youthful, naïve and fiercely political age (for me) and era (in American and Israel), was in the summer of 1973. Subsequent visits, for conferences and studies, also took place in the summers, in ‘88, ‘90, and ’93.

That first winter-time visit took place following the beginning of the second intifada, on a mission for progressive rabbis. Some of you may hazily remember the reports in my Kehillah Connection columns that winter and spring.

Ironically, or perhaps, cyclically, my message to you at this time last year also concerned Israel. Last summer, we watched the emotional images from the Gaza disengagement. This summer, as I write, we watch in stunned horror at the loss of life and wild political, military and humanitarian crises spiraling out of hand in Lebanon, Israel and Gaza.

And unsurprisingly, similar thoughts arise. Here is a part of last year’s September column:

The tension and hopefulness inherent in the Zionist enterprise touches us all, regardless of our political perspectives, or positions on Zionism. No Jew living in the Diaspora is exempt from considering, and ideally, forging a relationship to Israel, just as no one who has the privileges we do in America can ignore, or tolerate, any humanitarian or natural crisis occurring anywhere, whether in the Middle East, Africa, Asia or elsewhere on the globe. To borrow the image of journalist Thomas Friedman, the world, for the purposes of communication and responsibility – whether corporate, national, communal or individual - is flat.

And from April 2001’s Israel Trip Diary:

I live my Jewish life in the here and now, yet perpetually refocusing my connection to the land that is a foundation in my people’s ongoing story.

In this refocusing lies, I believe, the core of what we can and must do, as we face the ongoing story of the Jewish people’s struggles. I do not know at this moment what dilemmas and turns in the story we face as you read this in September. I only know now, in the heat of the summer, that I must do what I can to bring in some light instead.

A memory from my childhood, on learning about, and connecting to, Israel:

My sixth grade religious teacher, Mr. August, was my favorite. He was younger than all the others, Canadian- rather than European-born, and he regaled us with stories of having volunteered as a soldier in Israel. I don’t really remember, or identify with, the stories, but just having someone with that very real connection was powerful for me, as was another symbolic classroom presence.

On the wall was a poster with the outline of a tree, and little leafy outlines. We would purchase and stick on dainty green leaf stickers for a nickel, until the tree was filled with green, our very own class tree in Israel, ready to be sent for Tu B’Shvat. Without closing my eyes today, I can visualize the tree, and be struck by that childhood feeling of a powerful bond with a place I had not yet seen.

In this month of Elul, and transition and preparation for the Jewish New Year, I invite you to:

• integrate a connection to Israel with your year cycle observances. Check out the Israel holiday resources at our Reconstructionist movement web site, www.jrf.org;
• speak and learn about fundamental social change in the Middle East. Subscribe to a blog, or an Israeli-based e-bulletin; and
• do one more thing than you are currently doing in your actions re: Israel. If you do not yet support an Israeli organization financially, find one that speaks to your values. If you do, share your interest and passion with someone else.