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This past Friday at “Israel Conversations,” each table at Shabbat dinner engaged with a leader about a different Israel-related topic. Reflect on the discussion and, whether or not you attended, engage in the conversation here. Comment on your general perspectives about Israel or go to one of the following links for material that was discussed about specific areas of focus.
Does Israel Still Have a Pioneering Spirit?
At Israel Conversations last Shabbat, I sat at one of the tables and studied the text of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We were focused on it’s emphasis on Jewish history, it’s dedication to the dignity of other people’s, and the name it chooses when referring to God: Rock of Israel. Review the text and add your thoughts.
At Israel Conversations last Shabbat, Marji Rosenbluth Philips discussed Reform Judaism and Pluralism in Israel, and referenced the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC). The conversation focused on the historic development of the separation of civil and political institutions in Israel that resulted in the orthodox rabbinate having control over civil issues such as marriage, bar/bat mitzvah and death. Continue reading
At Israel Conversations last Shabbat, RS Rabbi Emeritus Alan Fuchs discussed Israel’s History. Take a look at this timeline as a refresher, and comment with your thoughts.Continue reading
At Israel Conversations last Shabbat, Rabbi Howard Bogot lead the discussion, “Zionism Then and Now.” The group discussed many different definitions of Zionism and found the following statements most resonated with their own feelings. Have a look and then comment or share your own statement about Zionism.Continue reading
Separation of Church and State in Israel has never been achieved, and more than ever before, religious pluralism is under attack.
CONVERSION BILL: Leaders of the Reform Movement have been rigorously lobbying in Israel, to stop proposed legislation to turn all Jewish conversion authority over to the Chief Rabbinate (orthodox) in Israel. This week, Prime Minister Netanyahu opposed the bill and the Kenesset delayed the vote. The Reform Mvmt urges us to email Netanyahu and to acknowledge and push for more of his support. Conversion bill update and link to Netanyahu’s email.
WOMEN OF THE WALL: The arrest of Anat Hoffman, for the crime of carrying a Torah scroll at the Western Wall, was another in a series of attacks on progressive Judaism, feminism and democracy.
For a reflection on the state of pluralism, read Rabbi David Ellenson’s (president of the Reform Movement’s seminary, Hebrew Union College; Ellenson will speak at RS this fall) Jerusalem Post column, “A Call for State-Sanctioned Tolerance.”
JStreet V.P. Rachel Lerner’s remarks to Presbyterian Church video.
JTA article “Facing Confrontation on Israel: Presbyterian Church Manages a Compromise.”
Last week, the Presbyterian Church’s leadership met at their 2010 Assembly. The Church’s Middle East Study Committee report raised serious concerns in the Jewish community. The problem with the report was not its opposition to the occupation of the West Bank; many Jews and Jewish organizations share such opposition. Jewish organizations from both the left and the right assessed the report to be one-sided, holding Israel accountable for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ignoring Palestinian responsibility.Continue reading
by Rabbi Jill Maderer
In his recent New York Review of Books essay, “The Failure of the American Jewish Establishment,” Peter Beinart, professor of journalism and political science at CUNY, captures his understanding of the status of American Zionism with these provocative words: “For several decades, the Jewish establishment has asked American Jews to check their liberalism at Zionism’s door, and now, to their horror, they are finding that many young Jews have checked their Zionism instead.” Continue reading
One of the most common questions I am asked: Is the Torah true? Did it happen? Our liberal Jewish community is compelled to seek meaning in the Torah and understand it as sacred text. Yet, we don’t want to check our brains at the door or ignore biblical scholarship.
One important way to discover the truths of Torah is through biblical archaeology. Join us on that journey next Shabbat, Friday June 4, 8:00 pm, when our Helen O. Sellers Memorial lecturer Professor Elizabeth Bloch-Smith adresses these issue with her talk: “Not Your Grandparents’ Judaism: Faith and 21st Century Biblical Scholarship.” Click here to learn about Professor Bloch-Smith’s archaeological work in Israel.
Our congregants Ivy and Matt Olesh found this article from The New York Times to be disturbing and we thought others might have comments as well. Check out the story: “Judge May Be Kept From Grandson’s Bar Mitzvah,” which explains a concern that protesters may keep Judge Richard Goldstone, who led an inquiry into Israel’s invasion of Gaza, from attending the celebration.
By Rabbi Michael Holzman
Over my years at Rodeph Shalom I hope that I have been able to communicate my somewhat complicated relationship with Zionism and Israel. While I certainly call myself a Zionist and believe firmly that there needs to be a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, I am also pained and frustrated with the recent direction of the state. That pain comes from what I see as the corrupting influence of Israel’s amazing military and economic power. Setting this power against past and current threats to Israel’s very existence is a recipe for confusion, ethical-lapse and the abuse of the other. And now throw in the intransigent position of the greater Arab world and the particulars of Palestinian politics and that recipe becomes a potent cocktail for disaster. Continue reading
