For
Your Consideration - Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro
It happens to me every time I spend
time with someone who is passionate about living in Israel. I emerge
from the conversation wanting to make another visit to Israel myself.
That’s what happened last month
when Rabbi Tammy Kolberg visited us at Sinai
Temple. Rabbi Kolberg heads up a Reform congregation in Tel Aviv,
and her stories
about creating a meaningful liberal Jewish life in Israel touched
me deeply. There
was something inspirational about the struggle that she and her congregants
wage
as they mold Judaism together with the demands of a fast-paced, ever-changing
Jewish state.
Of course, there is much to worry about,
and Rabbi Kolberg’s
strength was that she
never denied the challenges facing Israel. She criticized the Palestinians
for their
stubbornness over the years, but she also declared that Israel had
made many mistakes.
She was also most forceful in warning us that Israel’s disengagement
from
Gaza may provoke a schism in Israel unlike anything we have ever seen.
Although
she did not use the words “civil war,” she certainly wanted
us to know that Israel’s
departure from Gaza this July will be an extremely difficult task.
When it comes to Israel, there is always room for worry.
And yet – as I said – whenever
I become involved in a conversation about Israel, I
find myself wanting to get back there for another look.
I want to see what is growing and blossoming there.
As Yom Ha-Atzmaut/Israel Independence Day approaches on May 11, I
want to celebrate
the renewal of Jewish self-determination.
I am even looking forward to planning
a congregational trip to Israel for next year.
The last Sinai trip went in 1995 so the time has certainly arrived.
Details will follow. Who knows what current events will also follow.
No matter, I’m eager to lead a trip to Israel. Many of you have
expressed interest
already. Let me know what you’re thinking. Perhaps next year – in
2006 – we can
celebrate Yom Ha-Atzmaut in Israel itself!
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