The holiday season in Israel is readily noticed also by the
increase of tourists arriving here.
Indeed many even make their way out to Judea and Samaria, not only the
biblical heartland, but where we actually started here in Israel, from Abraham
onward.
Always noticeably missing are the secular Jewish tourists,
Jews who hail from Conservative and Reform congregations. They are in Israel, in fact there are always
“missions” here, but their leadership makes sure to keep them away from the
Jewish Heartland. Often claiming “too
politically charged”, “dangerous” and many other pitiful excuses.
Funny how we can always find mainstream US Jewish
“leadership” in Ramallah, but a visit to Shilo, Beit El and more, simply out of
the question. Gd forbid they visit sites
directly connected to their own history.
Sites that would strengthen their own identity and connection, their
congregations identity and connection, stated challenges they face in keeping
their respective flocks at home. Why
would they wish to keep their people disconnected and ignorant to their
history? Why would they deny them the
chance to walk in the steps of their forefathers? What are they afraid of?
I am not talking politics, simply the chance to visit these
places that are so important to us as a people.
They all claim to be so “pro-Israel”, so why should these places be so
different.
Federations and so on, will always visit Jewish sites in
other countries on “Heritage” tours, but to see their own heritage in Israel,
to be denied them by their own leadership??? Seems suspicious.
In almost all Jewish Congregations of worship, the “stories”
are read, the Torah and Haftorahs are recited…how many of you and your
congregants can point out the locations mentioned on a map, how many have people
have visited them, how many maybe would like to?
I would like to issue the challenge to any “Rabbi who avoids
places like Shilo, Beit El, Hevron…to throw down the gauntlet, if you
will. If you are not trying to
manipulate your congregation’s political leanings, if you are not trying to
deny them the chance of a lifetime to really see where they are from, then take
them out to Judea and Samaria, no politics, just history, our history.
Of course if you are attempting to mold and manipulate
others opinions to match your own rather than develop their own informed opinions
and ideas, or allow others to be misinformed, and deny them their history and
heritage, you will ignore this letter.
For those of you who are not ignoring this letter, ask your
Rabbi about it. Succot is a time of all
Jews coming together…we are here, waiting for you with open arms.
Need help in getting here?
Be in touch, marcpro@oneisraelfund.org
Chag Sameach!
