09/09/2023
Shabbat Shalom y’all from from Congregation Beth Israel, Colleyville Texas, who experienced the hostage situation 2 yeas ago. This Shabbat I spoke there about my country Israrl having being taken hostage by its own government. Full sermon below: Shabbat Shalom to you dear friends.
It is an honor and privilege for me to be standing here with you on this Shabbat eve before Rosh Hashanah, at the sacred time of the year known as Selichot, the days of forgiveness.
Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to Rabbi Brian Zimmerman, the local Federation, the three communities who invited me to speak in front of them, and my hosts, Julie, and Dick Abrams, for their assistance in bringing me here as a guest lecturer in Tarrant County, Texas.
I bring warm greetings from the members of our community in the heart of the Galilee, in the Land of Israel. Just like all of you here, we are dedicated to the preservation, growth, and prosperity of Jewish life, while upholding humanistic and universal values of tolerance, equality, and social justice for all individuals.
When I stand here on Shabbat evening in the Jewish community of Colleyville, Texas, I am reminded that this place is not only a good and welcoming Jewish community but has unfortunately become a symbol and reminder of the vulnerability of Jewish communities in the United States, following the hostage incident that occurred here about two years ago.
However, the very fact that you all are still here, and that I stand here before you as a guest from Israel, is a testament to the resilience and strength of our people in the face of crises, and even our ability to grow from them.
Dear friends, we are currently in the midst of the season of forgiveness. This is a time for self-reflection, introspection, and taking responsibility for our actions. It is a time for processes of forgiveness and reconciliation, both in our relationship with God, as well as in our relationships with others, our community, and society at large. The period of forgiveness requires us to examine the reality of our lives and shed light on both the positive and negative aspects. This process aims to facilitate a positive transformation so that by the end of Yom Kippur, we will have become better individuals than we were at the beginning of this journey, which started in the month of Elul.
As an individual hailing from the Land of Israel, I feel compelled to express my current frustration. Standing before you, I understand that weather is like I or not, I represent the country from which I come. I must confess that holding this position these days is incredibly challenging for me. Throughout my forty-six years on this earth, I have never experienced such a deep sense of sorrow, concern, and, if I may be frank, anger and disappointment towards the country of my birth. Despite my love for the country and my committed participation in its development for many years, these emotions have overtaken me.
The words I am about to speak may seem harsh, and indeed they are, but they emanate from love, concern, and a sense of responsibility and urgency. The gravity of the situation necessitates clear and straightforward communication.
The State of Israel is currently facing the most serious crisis in its history, putting its very existence in danger as never before. Fifty years ago, the State of Israel faced the threat of extinction from external forces during the Yom Kippur War, when neighboring Arab countries delivered a severe military blow. It was only through the courage of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, along with substantial military aid from the United States of America, that the destruction was prevented.
Now, the State of Israel is in an equally grave danger, and perhaps even more so. The ones who pose a threat to its safety, security, and very existence are not external enemies or terrorists, but rather the Israeli government itself. This government was legally elected by a narrow but legitimate majority, but ever since taking office, their focus has been solely on one thing: altering the country's laws in a manner that transforms it from a democracy into a dictatorship, with legislation aimed at granting unlimited power to the executive branch, meaning to themselves.
In the eight months since the change of government, we have witnessed the immense devaluation of the Jewish state and a rapid decline in nearly every aspect imaginable. Security is compromised, crime becomes more prevalent, the economy plummets, high-tech companies cease to invest in Israel, and billions of dollars are withdrawn from the country.
Anyone without a foreign passport is now endeavoring to obtain one, prompting discussions among Israelis regarding potential destinations for immigration and the establishment of expatriate Israeli communities overseas.
Trust in government institutions has been severely undermined, as discourse becomes increasingly violent, incendiary, and divisive, permeated with hate and racism. Minority groups - particularly the sizable Arab minority, as well as the gay community and reform Jews - face threats, persecution, and occasional harm, all with the endorsement and support of the government.
Facing the Israeli government's efforts to obtain absolute power for themselves, stand hundreds of thousands of protestors and demonstrators who fill the streets and squares with loud calls for democracy. Although they are pushed out by force, and sometimes also beaten and arrested, they do not stop protesting. They are joined by many public figures, civil servants, The leaders of the business sector, the academic community, and even the Israeli security apparatus have all issued warnings, cautioning that the government's current trajectory is heading towards disaster.
Thousands of IDF reservists, including individuals in crucial positions such as fighter pilots, senior officials in the Intelligence Corps, have already declared their refusal to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces at this juncture. Their decision stems from the breakdown of trust between them and the political leadership, as well as their refusal to serve in an army aligned with a dictatorial regime. At this time, we owe our deepest gratitude to these heroes of the hour - those who are fighting for democracy and freedom in Israel.
Dear friends, I hope you grasp the gravity of the danger currently facing the Jewish people. If the State of Israel ceases to be a democracy, it will simply cease to exist, at least in the manner it has existed until now. It may end up being reduced to a small, isolated, and threatened entity, resembling countries such as North Korea or Iran, under the leadership of a racist and violent group, with alleged nuclear weapon ability and outdated Western military equipment.
There is also the possibility that Israel will not exist at all, as its western allies may abandon it, and its external adversaries, eagerly waiting for a moment of weakness, will realize that this moment is fast approaching.
Dear friends, as we enter a time of forgiveness and self-reflection, it is imperative that we question how we arrived at this predicament. After all, we are not merely victims of circumstances, but rather active participants in shaping them. In order to rectify the situation, we must be brutally honest with ourselves, take ownership of our actions, and strive to correct our mistakes. Here are my observations on the matter:
Indifference - for far too long, the reasonable and level-headed majority in Israel has allowed extremists to dominate the realms of education, society, and politics. By relinquishing these influential spheres, we have inadvertently allowed a breeding ground for ignorance, animosity, and polarization, which has directly contributed to the current state of affairs.
Additionally - for too long, the Jewish identity in Israel has been left in the hands of extremists. If we do not foster a pluralistic, humanistic Jewish identity that promotes a vision of justice and equality inspired by the words of the prophets of Israel, we end up with a Jewish identity that advocates for racist supremacy and uses alleged violence in the name of religion and God.
And perhaps most importantly, we must understand that semi-democracy is attainable – what we are now realizing is that there can be no such thing as a half-hearted democracy. For far too long, the Jewish majority in Israel has neglected to address the issue of equality between Jews and Arabs in the land. Those who believed it was possible to preserve democracy, freedom, and economic prosperity for one group while denying these rights to another group are now witnessing the same violent mechanisms that were once directed towards Palestinians being aimed at them.
However, these very realizations, which increasingly resonate with many Israeli citizens, offer a glimmer of hope for potential change. The challenging circumstances we find ourselves in serve as a catalyst for various segments of Israeli society to awaken. It is time to break free from indifference, reclaim our authentic and righteous values as the eternal Jewish people, and call for return of Israeli society and the Jewish state into a democratic republic that prioritizes freedom and guarantees equal rights for all individuals residing within its borders.
To set an example for this, and being a local Jewish leader in the in the Galilee region where I reside, I have founded the Spirit of the Galilee association. This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting the values of religious and cultural pluralism.
We strive to foster ties and alliances of peace between Jews and Arabs in our region, while also advocating for pluralistic Judaism. Our efforts are rooted in our belief as Reform Jews in the importance of repairing the world, social justice, and equality. We believe that there is no better place to cultivate these values than in the land of the Jewish people. Since Jews and Arabs live in relative peach in the Galilee, the region serves as a laboratory of sorts, in which programs that prove themselves as successful, can serve as a model to be duplicated in other, more conflictual regions of the county.
And to all of you, the Jewish people living in the United States, I want to share the following message: I understand that you face your own challenges. The synagogue where I am currently situated serves as a stark reminder that anti-Semitism exists here as well. I also recognize that your communities are dealing with internal crises, declining numbers, and limited resources. As someone who holds dual citizenship in both Israel and the United States, I am cognizant of the political crisis, division, and animosity present in this country as well.
However, it is crucial for you to grasp the significance of this moment and the peril that currently threatens the Jewish state. Despite the challenges, now is not the time for indifference or for severing ties with Israel. The State of Israel is not only the abode of its inhabitants, but also the spiritual and national home of the entire Jewish people world wide. As events unfold in Israel, they undoubtedly have an impact on you, granting you the right, and perhaps even the responsibility, to exert influence on matters happening there.
Therefore, if safeguarding the future of the Jewish people holds significance for you, now is the time to advocate and take initiative: love Israel, demonstrate commitment, and never abandon it. From this standpoint, make your concerns heard by expressing unambiguous criticism against the current Israeli regime and its leadership. Urge the U.S. government to lend its support to Israel in a manner that sends an unequivocal message, conveying that the suppression of democracy, racism, and hatred carry severe repercussions. Simultaneously, extend your support to social organizations, including the one I lead and others, that tirelessly strive to create a sane and positive alternative to the prevailing process prevailing in Israel nowadays.
Dear friends, even in the midst of darkness, the sun's light continues to shine. Our nation and our people have always demonstrated their ability to confront and overcome challenges, emerging stronger as a result. We will prevail in the current crisis as well, restoring Israel to a place where every Jew yearns to reside in, and takes pride in belonging to. Am Yisrael Chai!
Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat and a joyful New Year.
