Every year that I have served Temple Emanuel, my summer begins in a similar way: I find myself sitting in a chair in the faculty residence at Camp Eisner, writing the Shofar article for the summer edition. Every year I strive to have it all finished before I go to camp, but alas this little ritual persists, despite my best efforts and the gentle encouragement from Caryn and Jen, our wonderful Shofar editor and designer (who do a phenomenal job every single time – we are so lucky and so blessed to have their energy and talents!).
Well, this year is different! Camp Eisner asked me to come for one week only this year and later than usual – and I suddenly found myself able to go to a Rabbinic Torah Seminar at Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem that takes place in the first two weeks of July every year. A great program that brings together rabbis from across the Jewish denominational world, this has been my dream for quite some time. Therefore, thanks to camp scheduling and the sabbatical time available, by the time you read this article I will be in Jerusalem, engaged in study and conversations for almost two weeks! I am truly excited and a little anxious – in this year when we mark the 50th anniversary of Unified Jerusalem, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Occupation of the West Bank, that the many difficult questions will no doubt permeate this year’s Shalom Hartman seminar and my time in Jerusalem.
To paraphrase my friend Julian Resnick, going to Jerusalem most likely cannot produce answers, but it can help me deepen my questions, and to learn, listen, and breathe Israel, with all its complexity and all its beauty. Together with much of the Jewish world, I was devastated to hear of the recent Israeli cabinet’s proposal, with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approval, to abandon the negotiated plan for the Kotel (Western Wall) egalitarian space, as well as a serious challenge to non-orthodox conversions performed in Israel – a move that is as devastating to us as it is detrimental to the Israeli society at large. Our National movement, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) as well as American Reform Zionist Association (ARZA) have issued very strong statements, as did the Jewish Federations of North America and a host of other voices and are considering a coordinated response as I write this column. And while I am truly upset at these most unfortunate actions, it will not make me love Israel any less – it will only strengthen my resolve to work even harder, to listen more intently, to build relationships, and to learn. This is not the end, just a bump in the road.
I look forward to sharing my journey and my learning with you soon. In the meantime I wish you all a wonderful summer – see you at Shabbat on the Beach on July 28!