Preaching Goes Viral

Israel/Corona

M3: Political agenda (for or against): politicians and current political debates

I think it is important to talk about Israel each year during the High Holy Days. It is critical that we acknowledge the central role that Israel plays in the life of American Judaism and I hope in your Jewish identity as well. I would not be the person that I am today if not for the time I have spent in Israel. We are a diverse community, so I would expect there to be those out there today who are happy with everything Israel is doing right now, and others who are very unhappy with Israel. Either way, I hope that you love Israel for what she is and what she represents to the world Jewish community.   Earlier this month Daniel Gordis had an article in The Times of Israel where he pointed out that the way we teach about Israel in the Diaspora is by talking about the various wars she has fought and the about the hostilities with the Palestinians.  Israel is so much more than just that and what a negative perception one gets when only talking about conflict. Israel has a Declaration of Independence that lays out some of the basic beliefs and aspirations of the founders. Have we taught you enough about Zionism to discuss the differences between Herzl’s Political Zionism, Ahad Ha’am’s Cultural Zionism and Jabotinsky’s Revisionist Zionism? Truth is that for all the time we give to Israel education, we have not been doing a very good job of it.

2022-12-13

Rabbie Mark

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