Dear
Readers,
These columns began on my area of America Online, called: Judaism
Today: Where Do I Fit? People anonymously
sent me E-Mail, and I began to choose one for a public response
in my Jewish E-Mail of the Week column. The column has become
quite popular and is now syndicated internationally in many
Jewish papers and websites. I hope you find they help you
as you think about the Ethics, Spirituality and Peoplehood
components of the Jewish way of Life. I welcome your
comments... see the end of the column.
Gil
PS
Teachers and others, feel free to copy my columns and forward
them or use them as you see fit. Please see the friendly
copyright notice at the end. |
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Do
Jews Have Religious Freedom in Israel?
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Dear Gil:
I liked your last column explaining Zionism. Only one caveat -- Israel
doesn't exactly have freedom of religion.
The Orthodox have religious hegemony over the state. Interfaith couples
can't even get legally married unless they go for a ceremony outside of
the country. A teenage Jewish boy who died had his corpse transported
from one cemetery to another because his parents were not Jewish
according to Jewish Law (they each had a non-Jewish mother), and the
Orthodox control the cemeteries.
Also, only recently, the Israeli Supreme Court had to intervene on
behalf of Conservative and Reform rabbis to get them some legal
recognition in Israel.
I believe it would be OK if we leveled with people like that young
woman. She would respect your realism.
Your Fond Devil's Advocate,
G
Dear G:
First, a brief recap: My last column was a response to a Christian
woman with questions about Zionism. I explained that Zionism is
the movement to support a Jewish homeland and that other religions are
freely practiced in Israel.
How ironic that you should point out that freedom of religion is an
issue for Jews in Israel. The examples you cite are difficult and
complicated, but I would not argue with you. Further, I think you
are correct, honestly acknowledging the problems you describe is proper.
I debated whether to bring up this divisive issue in the last column and
today, while Israel is in crisis. She now needs our undivided
support. Precisely because Israel needs our support, I have
decided I should publicly air the problems you describe.
This is why: we Jews have always argued amongst ourselves and have had
serious divisions. You will see examples of this through out our
history, going all the way back to the Bible. The Jewish people
are family and families argue.
The debate of defining Judaism and who is a Jew has been contentious
since the State of Israel was established. These issues are far
from resolved. Still progress is being made and non-Orthodox
Jewish streams are slowly but surely being heard. Most Israelis are not
Orthodox so I can assure you; this is a debate that will continue to be
argued long and hard in Israeli homes, institutions and courts.
BUT, when family is threatened, that is the time to close ranks and put
our differences aside. This is exactly what Israelis and Jews
everywhere are doing now and why I have decided to feature your email
this week. This is not a time to be picking on ourselves. We
have plenty of enemies who need no help from us! Suicide bombers
do not care about Jewish parents or what synagogue their victims
attended or did not attend. Their only concern about cemeteries is
to put as many Jews as possible in them!
After selecting your email, and apropos of what I just wrote, I received
an announcement that the UJC (United Jewish Communities -- the former
UJA) has brought the four movements of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative,
Reform and Reconstructionist) together for an emergency appeal to raise
funds for Israel. Over $120 million has been raised so far.
Of
equal import is the raising of consciousness that we must be united now.
I could quote all of the heads of all the movements who gave moving
statements in support of the effort. But I have decided to quote
Rabbi Eric Yoffee head of the Reform Movement because they have had
perhaps the most uphill battle for recognition in Israel. In spite
of that, here is what he said:
"To
the people of Israel we say, 'You are not alone. The Jewish people is a
single people, interdependent in every way, rooted in covenant and
history and we stand with you.' And to the terrorists we say, 'We
Jews are a diverse people. We have diverse political views. But
understand that as long as the weapon you use is terror, as long as the
language you use is anti-Semitic, as long as you fail to accept Israel's
right to live in peace and security, as long as you fail to honor the
fundamental values upon which all major religious traditions rest, we
stand as one in the battle to defeat you."
He
is right. We all need to stand shoulder to shoulder with each
other and with Israel. In that light, I would encourage people to
contribute
by
contacting your local Federation, calling 800-966-4852 or sending a
check payable to UJC Israel Appeal to United Jewish Communities,
PO Box 30, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113. For more ways
to help Israel go to: www.ujc.org/content_display.html?ArticleID=37977
The issues you raise in your letter require respectful debate. When we
return to more peaceful times (hopefully soon) we can afford to again
argue amongst ourselves to find compromises and solutions. May the
spirit of unity that now moves us to stand by Israel, remain with us, so
next, we sit with each other and work out our religious differences.
Thank you for writing!
Gil
A FRIENDLY COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© Copyright Gil Mann
These columns can be found at www.beingjewish.org. Not
only do I give you permissions to copy these Jewish Email
columns...I HOPE YOU WILL and that you share them with others!
All I ask is that you never charge anyone for them and that you
also include this little copyright notice. Thank You!
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