| 
IMPJ Newsletter
IMPJournal - March 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Address from the
|
Bring a bit of Israel |
Reform Nation: |
Reform Pilgrim's Prayer:
|
How we making this |
Mazal tov to |
.jpg)
.jpg)
Address from the Reform and
Progressive Leadership in Israel
Dear Friends,
As always, the days approaching the Passover holiday are hectic. As you will read in this newsletter, IMPJ invested significant efforts to invite the Israel public to join in our holiday events. Twenty Reform communities throughout the country conductedlearning and preparatory sessions for the Seder. Thousands more Israelis have learned more about the holiday by visiting a new IMPJ website dedicated to the Passover holiday. A special radio campaign invited the public to join diverse activities in Reform communities. Unfortunately, there was also the need to invest public and political energies to take a stand against the Conversion Law, which threatened the status of non-Orthodox conversions in Israel.
We are pleased to report that, at present, the legislation has been halted, and we hope this will also prevent future legal harm to conversions conducted by our Rabbis in Israel and the Diaspora. To a great extent, our success may be attributed to the support of Reform congregations internationally, by both rabbis and community leaders. Israeli embassies, meetings with Israeli government representatives and media discussion all brought fruit. If it weren’t for the involvement of our friends overseas, it is doubtful if we would have been able to halt the lesgislation. Once again, the international Reform community demonstrated its capacity to act against a lack of tolerance and attempts to do damage to the achievements of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. In many respects, our joint effort reflects the best of central values of the Passover holiday: Freedom, responsibility and mutual care.
Two weeks after Passover we will celebrate Israel's 62nd anniversary. We recently learned that Rabbi Asher Hirsch will be honored with the lighting of one of the 12 torches in the official state ceremony on Mount Herzl. This prestigious occasiona reflects Rabbi Hirsch's leadership, but it also reflects on the long but successful journey achieved by the Reform movement in Israeli society. Although the exoducs from Egypt teaches us that the road is long, but it leads to the promised land, and is not just a dream. On the even of the Passover holiday, we would like to express our appreciation for your partnership on this long journey to achieve a pluralistic Israeli society, which is gaining a increasing understanding for diverse views and Jewish ways of life. This vision is not a dream, but a mission that may be achieved, and together, we will succeed in its realization.
On behalf of the IMPJ family, I wish you a joyous and meaningful holiday. May we all achieve the exodus from Egypt and the entry to the Promised Land.
Next Year in Jerusalem. "And He brought us to this place and he gave us this Land of Milk and Honey." Editors of the Hagaddah in different generations chose not to include this verse in their texts, probably because they felt the proper focus for the evening is the exodus from Egypt and attention should not be diverted to the wanderings through the desert and the arrival in the Promised Land. In our day, however, there is a deep and meaningful connection between the exodus from Egypt and our return to Zion and inhabiting Israel. When we are seated at the family Seder, it is worthy to recount both the exodus from Egypt in past generations and the ingathering of exiles in Israel in our time. From the story of the ancient exodus, to the story of the Exodus of our day, we should share the stories of aliya to the Land of Israel and the defense of our borders, in the spirit of the Hagaddah's prescription: "And you shall instruct your child." In the words of Israel's Declaration of Independence: After the nation was forcibly exiled, she retained her faith in all the lands of the Diaspora and not desist from the prayer and hope to return to the land and to renew her national freedom. This traditional and historic connection has bound each generation to retain its ties with the ancient homeland. In recent generations, huge numbers of dedicated souls have returned, among them pioneers, refugees, and defenders who have revived the Hebrew language, built farms and cities and established the growing regions of householders who have brought blessing to all the residents of the land and aspired to independent statehood. The Prayer for the Peace of Israel (in keeping with the text of the Reform prayerbook Avoda Shebalev): Our Divine Guardian, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the beginning of our redemption. Shield it beneath the wings of your steadfast love and spread over it the shelter of Your peace. May a spark of Your sprit inspire the actions of its President Prime Minister officials, judges and advisors that they may follow the path of righteousness, liberty and freedom. Strengthen the hands of those who build and protect our Holy Land and grant them salvation and life. Grant peace to this land everlasting joy to its inhabitants. Be near to all the people of Israel through the lands of their dispersion. Plant within their hearts the love of Zion and ma those of our people are so inspired, come to Jerusalem Your city, which bears Your name. Spread Your spirit over al the inhabitants of our land. Uproot hatred, jealousy and evil; plant in our hearts love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. And speedily fulfill the vision of Your prophet (Isaiah 2:4): Nation will not life up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Lo yi-sa goi el goi cherev, lo yil-me-du od mil-cha-ma And let us say: Amen The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is guiding Israelis in bringing meaning and relevance to family Seders throughout the country. Although the family seder is a cultural icon, the deeper Jewish meaning of the celebration has been lost to many Israelis. These are the ways in which IMPJ is helping Israeli families regain access to the event that is at the heart of Jewish identity and peoplehood: 1. This year, sixteen Reform congregations are enabling Israelis from all walks of life to participate in a pre-Passover workshop. The guiding concept is to help the leaders of family and group seders to create a lively and memorable evening of Jewish experience. 2. This year, the popular Israeli radio station (Galei Tzahal) is broadcasting public service announcements inviting listeners to attend Reform movement Pesach workshops throughout the country. 3. This year, Israelis are learning about holiday traditions—and how to make their own—through the IMPJ holiday website: www.hagim.org.il 4. This year—and every year—social justice is an integral aspect of Pesach study, celebration and action. IMPJ's youth movement, affiliated schools and May we go from strength to strength Benjie's background: Benji's family made Aliya from Chicago to Be'er Sheva when he was five years old. He was enrolled in the Orthodox track of Israel's public school system ("there weren't many choices for religious education at the time") He was a student-founder of the Yeshivat Hesder in Yeruham , an institution which combines rabbinic studies, community outreach and military service in the Negev region city. He was drawn to Reform Judaism in his search for egalitarianism—a religious sensibility that gives true respect to the "other." Jewish educational outreach: Creating an encounter with Jewish text and heritage is Benjie's first love. Benjie has students from all walks of life, from young soldiers in the IDF's Nativ conversion program to congregations in Jerusalem and Mevasseret Tzion as well as Kibbutz Mefalsim in the Sha’ar Hanegev region.. Making the Desert Bloom: Benjie served as a student rabbi at Kibbutz Yahel (in the Arava region) and he and his family (wife, Tovi and Yair, 3 and Ella, almost 2) fell in love with kibbutz and the Negev region. "The Jewish connection with the desert has its roots in our wanderings in the wilderness and Mount Sinai." The Arava region is sparsely populated, with most residents (fewer than 10,000) spread out in kibbutzim and other agricultural communities. Although his colleagues note that the entire desert region offers less opportunity for influence than the population of single neighborhood in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, Benjie is inspired by the opportunity to invest in communities that played a historic role in the realization of Zionism. He seeks to know these communities and respond to their needs for life-cycle events, holiday celebrations and Jewish learning that will transmit Jewish heritage from one generation to the next. A defining moment: Benjie was asked to plan a bar-mitzvah for a family on Kibbutz Yotvata (near Eilat), a prominent and staunchly secular kibbutz, perhaps best known as the producer of Israel's beloved chocolate milk. The father of the bar-mitzvah boy wanted the ceremony to take place at the Kotel, since he had taken part in the liberation of Jerusalem's Old City as a paratrooper. The egalitarian ceremony was guided by Benjie at Robinson's Arch, with the bar-mitzvah boy's elderly great grandmother in attendance, among others. The ceremony included the symbolic passing of Kibbutz Yotvata's Sefer Torah from one generation to the next. Benjie was moved by the emotion shown by the generations of women, who represented Zionism's founding families. They told Benjie that the occasion evoked emotion, but there was something beyond the bar-mitzvah that gave the moment special meaning. It was the first time that they had held a Sefer Torah in their own arms. Participants included Reform rabbis and congregants from across North America and Israeli and overseas Reform rabbinical students from the Hebrew Union College. The age range was from 18-70 with all participants demonstrating admirable physical stamina and sturdy spirits. Riders were gratified by the spiritual and material benefits of the five-day Ride4Reform adventure, which offers spectacular views, historic sites, and a daily liberal minyan, with guitars, rabbis cantors and Torah readers. From the ancient city of Tiberias to a sojourn in Nazereth, riders explored holy and historic sights of different religions in Israel, in the open and respectful spirit of Reform Judaism. From Nazereth they cycled up to the village of Zichron Yaacov, where an emotional finishing line ceremony was hosted by the IMPJ congregation Sulam Ya’akov. The funds raised from this year's ride will be earmarked to support the establishment of new Reform congregations in Israel. Gear Up for Riding4Reform next year! March 6-10, 2011
Rabbi Gilad Kariv
Executive Director
Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
Bring a bit of Israel to your Passover Seder
.jpg)
The centerpiece of the "Magid" ("recounting") section of the Hagaddah, is the recitation spoken by ancient Jewish pilgrims when they brought their first fruits to the Temple. There is an additional verse for the Hagaddah which reads: How is the Reform Movement
making this Passover different?new.jpg)
community leaders are all taking part in a campaign to provide for Israel's neediest—including distribution of food packages and clothing purchase coupons. Mazal tov to Rabbi Asher Hirsch
a Torch-Bearer for Israel and the Reform Movement .jpg)
The prestigious honor of "torchbearer" will be conferred upon Rabbi Asher "Dick" Hirsch at the official state ceremony for Independence Day, held every year at Mount Herzl. This is the first time that a Reform Rabbi will be recognized with this notable tribute. Rabbi Hirsch will light a torch honoring Israel's sixty-second year of independence alongside thirteen other prominent contributors to the State, including a retired Supreme Court Justice, and prominent war heroes, academics and public leaders. Rabbi Hirsch is Honorary President of the Union of Reform Judaism and served for many years as Chair of the Zionist Labor Committee. During the many years he served as the Executive Director of the Union for Reform Judaism, he strengthened its Zionist foundations and firmly rooted the Reform movement's institutions in Israel. On this Independence Day, the State of Israel will recognize his leadership in building bridges between Jerusalem and the Diaspora, including bringing the World Union for Progressive Judaism to Israel and initiating the establishment of the renowned Merkaz Shimshon cultural center. Reform Nation: Meet Rabbi Benjie Gruber
.jpg)
For the past year, Benjie has been a student-Rabbi at Kibbutz Yahel and has been involved in outreach in the region (He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in November 2009.) The plan is for him to build on the momentum of his current endeavors through outreach that will involve the entire region, from Batei Midrash for the community-at-large to educational programs for all ages, to life-cycle events and special events to commemorate holidays and the Sabbath. planning on Jewish values to life-cycle ceremoniesild He has been en2engaged Rabbi Rabbi.
The decision to become a rabbi: Thirty-four-year-old Benjie Gruber is an eighth generation rabbi. His paternal grandfather was a Reform rabbi and his father is a Conservative Rabbi. Family tradition was definitely a factor. But the choice was made when he and his wife, Tovi traveled to Malawi and worked as volunteers. His experience in Africa led him to the decision that the rabbinate would be the best way to combine community, spirituality and his love of learning and teaching. He notes that his wife is a social worker and his four siblings are rabbis, social workers and nurses: "We each seek our individual ways to make a contribution."
And why choose to be a Reform rabbi? That was not clear from the outset.
As noted, Benji received an Orthodox education in his youth in Be’er Sheva, the "capital" of Israel's southern region. Later, he spent two years as a Jewish educator in Portland, Oregon and explored the city's diverse Jewish life—attending synagogues with affiliations from Reconstructionism to Chabad. His experiences confirmed that he felt most at home with the liberal spirit of Reform Judaism: "Some like to say that change made by the Reform movement today is taken on by the Conservative movement in 20 years, and by the Orthodox in 50 years. I don't have patience. I want to be at the forefront.".jpg)
Academic studies: Benjie earned a BA and MA in Jewish philosophy. At the Hebrew Union College, his rabbinic thesis focused on the Reform approach to the Commandments. He was also awarded the Moshe Zemer prize for a student rabbinic responsa He wrote on the subject of Jewish attitudes toward cremation.Reform Pilgrim's Prayer:
A memorable journey on wheels .jpg)
This year, the launch began on Sunday March 14, at Israel's Good Fence in the northern city of Metulla, amidst an early heat wave. The ride concluded, five days later, with the final climb to the picturesque village of Zichron Yaacov (home of IMPJ's Sulam Yaacov Congregation). The 32 riders were challenged with an ascent through the rain and rewarded by the sight of an extraordinary rainbow on their arrival..jpg)
Plans are already underway for next year's Ride4Reform, which will begin in the city of Modi'in, at one of IMPJ's most prominent congregations, and will conclude with an ascent to Masada. For more details and registraion please contact: hadas@impj.org.il
© 2006 PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM IN ISRAEL Contact us | Site map | All rights reserved.