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Our Hearts, and Concerns, are in the East

03/02/2023 07:49:53 AM

Mar2

Rabbi Ron Segal

Because I love Israel and care deeply for her wellbeing, 230 Reform rabbis and I from across North America joined our Israeli rabbinic colleagues and more than 150,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv to protest the radical judicial overhaul proposals that the current government, despite widespread opposition, is unabashedly and quickly pushing through the Knesset to become law.  If the four proposed “reforms” are passed in their entirety, they will tragically undermine the democratic nature of Israel by essentially removing all future judicial checks and balances on the government. Israelis throughout the country and across the political continuum, including many who voted for the current government in the last election, understand that in a country without a constitution, denuding Israel’s Supreme Court of its capacity to keep the government in check on the rare occasions it is necessary to do so essentially gives the coalition in power in the Knesset the capacity to pass any laws it chooses, no matter how draconian, oppositional, or societally unpopular they might be. Citizens and leaders throughout the country see these changes as nothing less than an existential threat for Israel, and as we heard repeatedly during our week in Israel – from professors, rabbis, politicians, former attorneys general, taxi drivers and more - people are more fearful for the future than they have ever been in Israel’s 75-year history.

As alarming as the growing divide and potential changes are, though, even worse would be the decision of Jews in America to turn away from Israel now. Rather, now is the time to double down on our support of the Reform, progressive and democratically minded institutions, agencies and congregations in Israel that are passionately advocating to maintain Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Now is the time to let our American elected officials who share our democratic values know that we oppose the Knesset’s anti-democratic judicial reforms. At this perilous moment in Israel’s history, now is the time to affirm the unbreakable bonds which bind us together as a people and stand fast. As the legislative battle to limit the judiciary continues, now is the time to celebrate all that we love about Israel - all that is indeed joyful and remarkable, all that still holds promise.

Surely, the joyful and celebratory arrival of Purim and our retelling of the story of Esther in the coming days are notable in light of all that is happening in our homeland. Faced with the existential threat posed by villainous forces, the Jews, led by the heroism of Esther and Mordecai, successfully thwart the intentions of those who sought to destroy them. Recalling the story, their success relies upon the courage to speak up and stand firm. May their example inspire us to continue to raise our voices in support of the Jewish and democratic Israel we love.

Shabbat shalom,

RMS

People have an undeniable capacity to hold a variety of competing emotions simultaneously. History has taught us that we are able to experience both joy and concern at the same time. Thus, even as we feel a deep sense of worry regarding Israel’s future, so, too, we are able to gather with the spirit of collective joy as we celebrate the Purim. 

So join us on Friday evening for a memorable and Purim-inspired Shabbat service and hear the Megillah read, and then again on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm in the back parking lot for our congregation’s outdoor Purim Bash and festivities.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784