Inside Leadership Calendar | Weekly Torah | Take Action | URJ.org | ReformJudaism.org A Message from Rabbi Rick Jacobs Dear Suzanne, Ive just returned from a short, intense and meaningful trip to Israel where I visited URJ Israel program participants, Israeli officials and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) leadership. The whirlwind trip left me despondent over the hopes for a quick solution to Israels security, grief-stricken for the families of those killed in the fighting, but also hopeful. I am hopeful when I see how Israelis are increasingly unified in these difficult times, and especially when I see the intelligence, passion, and commitment of our teens. Despite some changes in itineraries, the young people on our high school and college-age programs are having incredibly rich, engaging experiences. Their trips — while not the ones they had expected — are revealing Israel in all her complexity, beauty and history, alongside fear and uncertainty. In my conversations with them, it was clear that during their brief stay in Israel, they are learning about the rewards and heartache that come with a deep connection to the Jewish State. I was also able to meet with my friend and colleague Rabbi Gilad Kariv, executive director of the IMPJ, who just a few days earlier attended the funeral of Lt. Col. Dolev Kedar, a 38-year-old commander of the Gefen Battalion who was killed in Gaza. This is what Gilad told me about Dolev and the current situation: Ten years ago, I had the honor of officiating at Dolevs wedding. When I spoke with him that day, I was impressed by his upstanding character and humbled by his commitment to protecting the Jewish State. He had so much life ahead of him. May his memory be a blessing for his family, friends and for all Israelis. As I grieve for Dolev and the other innocents who have perished, I am struck by how, during my 15 years with the Reform Movement in Israel, we have become skilled — however unfortunately — at responding to crises. The growing Reform network — which includes 50 synagogues and community centers and thousands of rabbis and Jewish educators — reaches tens of thousands of Israelis every year. Three IMPJ congregations continue to face the challenge of operating under fire, including Shar Hanegav where I spent a powerful Kabbalat Shabbat with congregations and soldiers just off the battlefield. All three remain open, conducting services regularly, continuing to serve both their members and the community at-large. In support of these communities and all those currently in the path of rockets from Gaza, the Reform Movement has joined Stop the Sirens — a community-wide campaign coordinated by the Jewish Federations of North American (JFNA). To date, the campaign has allocated $8 million for respite and relief, including nearly $340,000 to the IMPJ for respite programming and emergency aid packages. On the evening I was scheduled to leave, I stopped at Hadassah Hospital, to visit two young men who were badly wounded, but not from the fighting in Gaza: Samer Mahfouz and Amir Shwiki are Palestinians who live in Beit Hanina, an East Jerusalem neighborhood. They were savagely attacked by a group of young Jews filled with hatred for Palestinians. As I entered Samers hospital room his family seemed nervous about us. We were the first Jews to visit since the brutal attack. Noa Satteth, director of IRAC, the Reform Movements social justice arm in Israel, and I were joined by an inspiring delegation from Tag Meir, a group of 40 organizations standing against a spate of Jewish attacks against Palestinians. Bearing flowers and food for their Ramadan break-fast, we expressed how embarrassed we were by this attack. We wanted them to know that the majority of Israeli and Diaspora Jews were not only praying for their speedy recovery, but also determined to make sure their attackers were brought to justice and that such hatred would be uprooted through education and other strategies for coexistence. Samer spoke to us in beautiful Hebrew, telling us how they work and pay taxes to Israel and have ties with Jewish coworkers and neighbors. Amir was upstairs in the ICU beginning to recover consciousness after the nearly fatal attack. His mother, father and brothers accepted our visit with open hearts. Indeed, there is a need for peace in this region, a peace that promises hope and security for all. On a brighter note, I am sensing a positive shift in our Movements relationship with Israels new President, Reuven Rivlin, as I noted in this recent Haaretz op-ed. As we continue to focus our attention on the conflict in the Middle East, I do want to share information about some of our Movements current activities here in North America: As you all know by now, Rabbi David Saperstein has been nominated by President Obama as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. We are so proud of Rabbi Saperstein and will celebrate more upon the confirmation of this post, probably in the fall. Early last week, President Obama signed an executive order to protect LGBT employees of the federal government and federal contractors from workplace discrimination. The RAC has been working tirelessly on this issue and Rabbi Saperstein was at the White House for the signing. As you read this update, 24 lay leaders from congregations that do not have clergy are participating in five days of training at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, WI, to enhance their ability to lead worship and conduct lifecycle ceremonies. The URJs camps are packed, and thousands of campers are enjoying long, fun-filled days of crafts and sports, science and learning - all through a Jewish lens. As the summer continues to rush by, Im sure that your congregation is deep into preparations for the High Holidays. If your congregation welcomes non-members for High Holiday services or other events, please complete this form to add your congregation to the list that will be posted on ReformJudaism.org. Tishah BAv begins on Monday evening and commemorates the tragedy and destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. Sadly, this day has direct relevance to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Please look to these resources to help your congregations observe this day. With continued prayers of peace for Jerusalem, all of Israel, and all who are suffering,
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 20:01:02 +0000