Spotlight on CLAL Archive
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CLAL Issues New Year’s Challenge: Can We Both Unite to Support Israel and Encourage a Healthy Debate on its Future?
New High Holiday Resource Card Promotes Self-Reflection, Hope andKindness for a
Divisive Jewish Community
By Judy Epstein, Director of Public Affairs
This Rosh Hashanah CLAL asks: with all of the escalating
violence in Jerusalem, can we really hear the blast of the shofar?
In the last year, the
increased fighting in Israel has left Jews in North America stymied. Feelings of anger, shame and despair have
continued to grow, with no clear solutions to the problems in sight. As calls for revenge
and retaliation intensify, a swelling discomfort has replaced attempts for creative and
open dialogue.
With this as the backdrop,
what can be done to improved the situation?
This holiday season, CLAL
suggests three approaches to help bring together the many voices and opinions for fruitful
discussion on Israel’s present and future.
1. T’shuvah—honest self-reflection and
change. How did your anger lead you to
slander another person or dismiss a thoughtful position?
When have you been intolerant of a fellow Jew's response to the
crisis?
2. T’fillah—words of gratitude and hope. When you think of Israel, what are you truly
thankful for? What are your hopes for the
Middle East’s future?
3. T’zedakah—gifts of kindness. What will you commit yourself to do in the coming
year that will help support Israel in the years ahead?
“It is ironic that when Israel’s military is
stronger than ever, Jews everywhere feel weaker,” said Rabbi Daniel Brenner, Director
of CLAL’s National Jewish Resource Center. “Our collective anxieties have
re-surfaced and it no longer feels safe to raise questions -- What steps should be taken
to defend Israel’s borders? What should those borders be? How will defining those
borders change what democracy will look like in Israel? How shall the “Jewish”
part of the Jewish State best serve Israeli life?”
In response to these concerns,
CLAL has developed a High Holiday resource card that asks the American Jewish community to
consider how to both unite to support Israel and encourage a healthy debate on
Israel’s future. It asks the community
to consider how to solidify the Diaspora-Israel relationship and to encourage open,
pluralist debate on the myriad of issues.
“As we stand together we
must remember that the State of Israel was born out of a diverse coalition,” said
Rabbi Brenner. “In times of crisis,
there is an opportunity to bring out the best in our leaders, strengthen our relationships
to one another, generate new ideas and build coalitions.
But there is also a danger that the crisis will only further breed
intolerance and divisiveness.”
To receive CLAL’s High
Holiday resource card, contact CLAL at 212-779-3300.
The CLAL National Jewish
Resource Center develops new practices and understandings of ancient tradition through
innovative publications, recordings and educational material. The resource cards, addressing secular and Jewish
celebrations, explore modern Jewish life and connection to sacred inherited wisdom.
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