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Progressive streams of Judaism had excessive hopes when Israel’s present coalition got here collectively final yr. Gone had been the ultra-Orthodox and extra conservative national-religious events that lengthy opposed a pluralistic view of non-Orthodox Judaism, and in got here a Reform rabbi and a said intention to revive the long-frozen Western Wall compromise, giving progressive Jews a job within the administration of the holy website.
However a yr later, that coalition is — to place it frivolously — on shaky floor. The Western Wall deal was by no means carried out, and the one Judaism acknowledged by the State of Israel remains to be Orthodox.
However Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the top of the Union for Reform Judaism — North America’s largest Jewish motion — is nonetheless optimistic. This month, Jacobs will mark a decade on the helm of the URJ, following a protracted profession as a pulpit rabbi within the New York space.
Whereas little has modified legislatively to acknowledge non-Orthodox streams of Judaism in Israel, Jacobs says he believes a shift has begun. After years of feeling that Israeli authorities officers had been sidelining the Diaspora, Jacobs describes seeing renewed recognition that Jews outdoors of Israel do certainly matter.
Jacobs sees the present authorities as a catalyst of this transformation, shifting away from the much less Diaspora Jewry-focused insurance policies of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However he stresses that this new path extends past this administration and past the Israeli political realm.
The Occasions of Israel spoke to Jacobs at size in his New York workplace in regards to the Israel-Diaspora relationship, about what it means to be a liberal Zionist in the USA in 2022, and in regards to the path of his motion within the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The interview has been frivolously edited for readability and brevity.
You probably did an interview with The Occasions of Israel about 4 years in the past on the Jewish Federation of North America Common Meeting. I reread it, and you could possibly give that very same interview to me at the moment on a lot of the points: The Western Wall compromise remains to be up within the air, there stays an absence of recognition for Reform and all non-Orthodox streams of Judaism in Israel. So how do you see the connection between the extra progressive streams of Judaism and the State of Israel? Is it in a state of stagnation? Or do you see change?
Can I begin off with an anecdote that I believe possibly helps set the context for the dialog? I don’t know in the event you’re sufficiently old to recollect the outdated Diaspora Museum on the College of Tel Aviv. We’d carry teams to the museum, and also you come to that part of the synagogues of the Diaspora. You stroll in and that part of the museum is darkish. There’s mud on every thing. It principally is that this unhappy expertise. You stroll in and also you go, oh, my God, these poor individuals. It’s over. It’s useless. They’re gone. And we’re now coming to view what was.
In the present day, while you go to ANU [the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv], you will have a museum that exhibits, I believe, a vibrant, very correct and compelling imaginative and prescient of Diaspora Jewish life, one which’s not unrelated however very a lot linked to Israel. And I believe the shift within the museum is reflective of the shift within the State of Israel — that the Diaspora issues.
I introduced a gaggle to Israel in February. We had been there, and we met with principally the senior management of the State of Israel — with actual heat. That’s one thing that hadn’t occurred in a number of years. It was six years since we had final met with the prime minister, and I sensed there was an actual recognition that the Diaspora Jewish neighborhood mattered. It mattered by itself as a type of bellwether of what was the state of the Jewish individuals globally, however it additionally mattered to the State of Israel. And I believe that may be a important shift.
I all the time inform a narrative a few earlier encounter I had. I used to be in Israel, and one of many senior Likud ministers had given a discuss principally that Diaspora Judaism was over. And the non-Orthodox actions had been encouraging and strengthening assimilation. So I occurred to see that individual the subsequent day within the Knesset. We hadn’t deliberate a gathering, however I walked previous this particular person and I ended and I launched myself. He mentioned, I do know who you’re. I mentioned, properly, I heard you final evening on the information, and I believe there’s only a miss in an vital element. You mentioned that we’re on the doorway of Jewish life, serving to Jews out of Judaism. We are literally on the door of Jewish life, however we’re serving to individuals in. It’s a big distinction.
I believe Israeli leaders at the moment additionally fear in regards to the state of the Jewish individuals worldwide, as they need to, as we do. They wish to construct a extra respectful and, frankly, a extra critical and ongoing relationship with the Jewish neighborhood in North America. I imply, the [Christian] evangelical neighborhood — it’s fantastic that they assist the State of Israel — however we now have a major relationship with the Jewish neighborhood.
The Western Wall compromise — during which non-Orthodox streams of Judaism would have illustration within the administration of the holy website — has not been carried out and is unlikely to be anytime quickly.
Now with the Kotel, you could possibly argue the compromise isn’t any nearer to being carried out. I can inform you the dialog is a special dialog, and there’s real assist inside this authorities. And that’s not simply from the Labor Get together, the place my colleague, Rabbi Gilad Kariv, sits. It’s additionally from all corners: Gideon Sa’ar, clearly Meretz, but in addition Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid.
The Kotel is critical symbolically, however equality is the actual challenge. Equality in funding, equality in standing, conversion
One of many issues that really is a uniting issue is the sense that the Kotel symbolically is a kind of locations the place you’ll be able to actually make a concrete assertion that every one Jews have a spot, not solely on the Kotel however throughout the state of Israel.
Nevertheless it’s not the sum complete, proper? I imply, the Kotel is critical symbolically, however equality is the actual challenge. Equality in funding, equality in standing, conversion. Sometime quickly, please God, let there be civil marriage so we will cease having the one democracy presently on the planet that doesn’t permit Jews the liberty to marry.
I believe there are important modifications, and I believe issues are considerably stronger. Not that every one the complicated points aren’t nonetheless there — they’re. However I believe there’s a elementary realization that the connection is paramount, and also you’ll hear it affirmed from either side in very concrete methods, which I discover very encouraging.
When you say that you just see all sides of this authorities supporting such a pluralism and tolerance, that clearly doesn’t embody the Spiritual Zionism celebration or the ultra-Orthodox events, each of whom will not be essentially on board with what you’re describing. And so they may theoretically be again in energy even throughout the subsequent few months.
All true. The federal government will final nonetheless lengthy it lasts. However I do suppose this concept, this sense of peoplehood is alive and properly, and that one of many methods we strengthen the sense of Jewish peoplehood globally is by realizing each other higher.
We attempt to assist Israelis and Israeli faculties higher perceive non-Orthodox Judaism, notably non-Orthodox Judaism within the Diaspora, and extra notably in North America. I’ve simply met within the final six weeks with delegation after delegation of Israeli educators who’re right here occupied with how can we inform the story in instructional phrases about, to start with, the pluralism of the Jewish individuals, the pluralism of Judaism, and to painting one thing that’s correct when it comes to North American Jewish life. Actually, there’s been extra of that not too long ago than I can keep in mind in a long time.
Additionally, issues are rising within the State of Israel. You’ve a Reform motion that’s flourishing. I imply, we’re very proud Rabbi Gilad Kariv is now sitting within the Knesset, chair of the Constitutional Legislation Committee. However the reality is the motion that he presided over for a decade is certainly rising not solely in numbers, however in energy and in affect.
So on the Israel entrance, when it comes to the Reform motion, you’ve included the Jerusalem platform. However there’s usually a little bit of a disconnect between the motion and the individuals. And on that entrance, there’s loads of polling that exhibits the individuals who determine because the strongest Zionist supporters of Israel sometimes are Orthodox and fewer so amongst Reform Jews in the USA.
We’re the biggest Zionist motion right here in North America, and we’re happy with that. There are many methods to grasp that and to measure that. And I’d say that final summer season and this summer season we’re sending bigger numbers of Jewish teenagers, Reform Jewish teenagers to Israel. We’re constructing a deeper sense of what they do once they return.
Israel is alive and properly, and we forge that relationship, not with no matter political celebration occurs to be ascendant for the time being, however with the individuals of Israel, the beliefs of the State of Israel. That’s a a lot firmer floor to anchor the connection in.
However our Zionism is Liberal Zionism. We carry our values, the values of social justice, the values of inclusion, all over the place we go.
Political fortunes will come and go, and there will likely be instances when the prime minister is somebody that folks within the liberal neighborhood actually resonate with, and there will likely be instances the place it’s much less so. However we wish to construct that relationship in order that it weathers via.
Folks have to grasp the place their core points and values are. And for us, Israel is a part of that core. It’s a part of the notion that we’re half of a bigger individuals and the vast majority of Jews on planet Earth for the time being reside within the State of Israel. That itself is an obligation of relationship.
We’re endlessly engaged on how we higher train and put together our younger individuals and their households to each perceive Israel and to narrate extra carefully to Israel and all of the various things that come up, not simply when it’s a vote in Congress over Iron Dome, however that id points are additionally vital. So when there’s a victory within the [Israeli] Supreme Courtroom round conversion, it’s felt very keenly.
I had a scholar who made aliyah not too long ago. She was transformed as a child by a Reform rabbi, and she or he may make aliyah beneath the Legislation of Return. However when she goes to get married within the State of Israel, she’s going to have a tough time. She already is aware of that. And it’s not one thing that you just say, “Effectively, gee, that’s too dangerous.” That’s value combating for.
When the State of Israel does one thing that not directly delegitimizes [non-Orthodox Judaism], it additionally impacts id right here. So on these issues, it’s not simply that we’re combating for that equality and recognition in Israel. It issues when it comes to the worldwide expertise of being a Jew.
Whereas Reform Judaism as an establishment is actually embracing Jewish peoplehood and Zionism, there was the letter signed by various rabbinical college students — a lot of them from the Reform motion — throughout the combating between Israel and Hamas final Might that was very important, bordering on anti-Zionist or at the least not Zionist. It’s actually one thing that exists. Does which have a spot within the American Jewish neighborhood? Does it have a spot within the Reform motion?
I do suppose that there’s a range inside our motion round Israel. However guess what? There’s a range on this coalition round Israel, and that doesn’t should be a weak point. I do suppose that for a very long time, American Jews had been held to, “In case you’re a robust kind of pro-Israel individual, which means you’re pro-Likud, you’re pro-this and that.”
The concept that I’ve to be in some way anti-Palestinian to be strongly pro-Israel, I believe is a disconnect for younger individuals, their dad and mom, and even their grandparents.
And I believe the query of how does one be a progressive Liberal Jew with progressive liberal commitments right here in North America and likewise be a robust Zionist? That’s a part of the schooling we’re offering for our younger individuals, that these will not be both/ors, these are “and, and, and” relating to id. And if the federal government of Israel or the insurance policies of the Knesset align, even higher, but when they don’t, that doesn’t imply the undertaking is over. It means we’ve acquired to lean in additional and work tougher.
I do wish to press somewhat bit on this level. You might be describing a liberal Zionism, which there’s not solely room for however is anticipated, that aligns with sure political beliefs which might be held right here within the US. However my query is, is there additionally room for not-Zionism or anti-Zionism throughout the Reform motion, or is that past the pale?
Effectively, the official motion is one hundred pc clear. We’re a Zionist motion. We don’t apologize about that. We’re happy with that.
There are individuals throughout the American Jewish neighborhood that might not outline themselves as Zionists. I believe it’s a small group. I don’t suppose they’re run out of city.
I believe you’ll be able to perceive that there’s that range, however that it’s additionally not a big neighborhood. It doesn’t transfer us to say, properly, we needs to be quieter about Zionism. Under no circumstances.
The concept that I’ve to be in some way anti-Palestinian to be strongly pro-Israel, I believe is a disconnect for younger individuals, their dad and mom, and even their grandparents
I believe that’s the numerous factor. And does that imply that everyone goes to hold the [Israeli] flag wherever they go? No. A part of our job is to inculcate that, to develop that and to nourish that, and likewise to point out that it doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t have a distinction with a coverage of the federal government. You may. And that’s wholesome. The connection is deeper than no matter new invoice is handed within the Knesset or no matter Supreme Courtroom ruling there’s about prayer on the Temple Mount.
The phenomenon that’s value listening to is these segments of the American Jewish neighborhood that aren’t linked. I’m anxious about these which might be apathetic. I believe that could be the larger class in American Jewish life, not the robust rabid for or the rabid in opposition to, however for whom it doesn’t reside personally. That’s the place I wish to actually focus my consideration. I believe that’s a big group, and that’s why bringing extra Jews to Israel is so vital. In the course of the COVID pandemic that was very onerous.
What are you doing about it?
What we’re seeing already this month and subsequent month is the numbers of vacationers to Israel goes like this [moves his hand at a 45-degree angle upwards]. Over the subsequent three months, we’re going to see the nation actually stuffed with people who’ve been type of delayed in lots of the journeys which have been deliberate and it’s an opportunity to essentially see the nation and all of its magnificence, the issues that you just don’t examine day by day within the headlines, not even in the event you learn The Occasions of Israel. They’re going to see the great, the difficult, the painful, the joyful. And so they’re going to return again and really feel like that is actually a unprecedented second and really feel this deep affinity to the state, to the individuals, to the beliefs.
We additionally carry a complete group of 300 [Israeli emissaries to the US] each summer season. They populate our in a single day camps. They convey this love of Israel they usually get an opportunity to share it. However additionally they have an expertise of being Jewish that completely surprises them.
I like that it’s this mutuality. They convey one thing, however additionally they take one thing dwelling. I believe that’s additionally one of many nice powers of this relationship. It’s not a one-way relationship. It was once that American Jews thought they had been serving to their poor Israeli cousins. We’re strengthened by the State of Israel, by the Jewish life that’s thriving in Israel. And I’d wish to consider that Israel can also develop from a few of our experiments in pluralism.
And are we totally different in how we view Judaism? Sure. Do we now have possibly totally different expressions of our Zionism? Sure. However do we now have a commonality that makes us really feel very a lot accountable one for the opposite? 100%!
[In America] you and I may proper now stroll to any variety of locations the place Orthodox rabbis, Conservative rabbis, Reform rabbis, sit collectively, study, plan, do issues along with ease. You say that to an Israeli — that simply doesn’t occur. That Orthodox Rabbi can be banished. Right here that’s like, “Duh! We’re a neighborhood.”
And are we totally different in how we view Judaism? Sure. Do we now have possibly totally different expressions of our Zionism? Sure. However do we now have a commonality that makes us really feel very a lot accountable one for the opposite? 100%!
The extent taking part in subject is a reasonably highly effective factor right here. No one has political energy. I don’t have political energy. The Orthodox rabbis don’t. We’ve got Judaism, we now have the Jewish individuals, and we do our work with as a lot creativity and inspiration as we will.
To not make it overly political, however in the event you take away political energy, you’re taking away a billion {dollars} or extra of presidency budgets which might be funding one expression of Judaism in Israel, it modifications issues. Not somewhat. It modifications issues quite a bit.
How is the Reform motion popping out of the coronavirus pandemic?
We by no means lose sight of 1,000,000 individuals who have died. I do know my family. My mother handed away early within the pandemic. And I do know that that has been a actuality in each neighborhood.
However there’s additionally a silver lining. We had extra individuals displaying up for Shabbat prayers throughout COVID than had been displaying up in individual. And a few of them had been individuals who had not been linked, however they had been hungry to really feel, I’d say, the nourishment and the assist of a religious neighborhood. And it additionally allowed them to place their toe within the water. Proper? As a result of if I stroll into the constructing, I don’t know if I’m going to be acquired. Possibly I don’t seem like the opposite individuals, possibly I don’t know my method round. However I may present up on Fb Stay for that Friday evening service. I may present up for that Torah examine or that lecture. It really helped us lengthen the tent to the parents who weren’t but linked.
Some congregations had been struggling earlier than the pandemic. Guess what? Lots of them are struggling at the moment. However main change is one thing the Jewish leaders have all the time struggled with
The query is, can we construct that right into a extra ongoing and actual strong relationship? That’s on us proper now. However we now have seen within the final couple of years throughout COVID a proliferation of recent pondering and experiments in the way to construct extra bridges and the way to not really feel that the constructing is the main focus of our Jewish neighborhood. The relationships, the connections, houses, households, neighborhoods. Our Judaism just isn’t inside 4 partitions. It’s in a broader context. I believe that has been thrilling.
Some congregations had been struggling earlier than the pandemic. Guess what? Lots of them are struggling at the moment. However main change is one thing the Jewish leaders have all the time struggled with. Take a look at our historical past. Among the modifications that had been foisted upon us with catastrophe, just like the destruction of the primary and second temples, brought on disruption.
After World Struggle II, after the Holocaust, we see a proliferation of Jewish life right here in North America and lots of different locations. We see the start of the State of Israel. So how can we reply to occasions, even occasions like a world pandemic? And I believe that we will present ourselves to be extra related and hopefully extra in a position to thrive within the coming years, and that’s the place our focus is.
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