MANNA 84 Editorial - Three Pillars of a New Zionism
Written by Movement for Reform Judaism Monday, 18 April 2005
Alarm is expressed by researchers who have their fingers on the heart beat of the Jewish communities in Britain and the United States at the current feelings of those Jews about the state of Israel. They report a growing discomfort and a painful inner conflict. Dangerously, both are increasingly expressed in disengagement.
The conflict is summed up in the widespread unease at what is reported by the BBC and the way it is reported. But it is also coupled with the private belief that a lot of it is true and merited. The signs of disengagement are already apparent, certainly within the Reform community, and are every bit as alarming as the researchers believe them to be.
Now is no time to distance ourselves, let alone to disengage. Paradoxically, the distinction between Jews in Israel and Jews in the Diaspora was never less real or meaningful. We are ‘in it’ together and our perspective is vital.
So how should we construct our Zionism at this challenging time?
It should rest upon three pillars, represented by three insights expressed particularly eloquently in the last few months.
The first pillar is one of measured realism and clear-sightedness expressed by the Jewish Chronicle and Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland.
Freedland expresses deep concern that time is running out for the Two-State Solution. The window is closing as Islamic fundamentalism increases its grip and more and more Palestinians realise that the agreement so nearly reached in the last days of the Clinton presidency gave them only 35% of the land.
Yet there is no conceivable alternative for Israel, for us. The status quo will rapidly lead to Jewish rule over an Arab majority and all the evidence is that the world will not tolerate minority rule. Non-viable Palestinian enclaves or population “resettlement” or put more brutally expulsion are utterly unacceptable internationally.
The alternative, now increasingly widely canvassed, of a bi-national state, finds little encouragement in history and will lead inexorably to Jews losing their majority by the year 2020. With that, the dream of a Jewish state is killed by demographics.
Clear-sighted realism indicates the two state solution to be the only answer. Yet, says Freedland, “we are becoming a people that cannot take ‘yes’ for an answer”.
The second pillar is provided by the British-born Israeli Rabbi Michael Marmur, Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. It is expressed in the imperative to engage.
Marmur, writing in the January 2004 issue of MANNA, says: “Don’t despair – I offer this advice not as a panacea, but as a theology. However tempting it may be to conclude that the problems are too intractable, the bloodshed too awful, the seductive powers of despair are to be resisted at all costs. Don’t demonize – many are coping with the complexities of the Middle East situation by concocting comic-book readings of the situation. They know who the baddies are and they blame all the ills of Israel/Palestine on the chosen object of their opprobrium. My own sense is that almost any position you wish to take can be taken up with love and with real involvement. By love I mean a true generosity of spirit which allows you to see what is happening in Israel through the eyes of real men and women, and not simply in generic terms. Don’t delegate – some years ago my father coined the term ‘vicarious Judaism’, wherein Jews get their fulfilment at one remove. Rather than create a personal link to Israel, we find an intermediary, and pay where appropriate. This is not on.”
The underlying imperative, as articulated by Rabbi Marmur, is to engage. The full gamut of emotions, reactions and perspectives held by British Jews is mirrored by Israeli Jews. There is not a Jew in this country who cannot find Israeli individuals, families, programmes and institutions who share similar emotions, reactions and perspectives. The imperative is to build a gesher chai, a living bridge with soul mates. To multiply encounter, mifgash. To engage.
The third pillar is clearly contained in the phrase ‘principled Zionism’. Though provocative, it highlights three values – love of am Yisrael and the recognition that am Yisrael can only truly live in relationship with others. Love of peace and the recognition that peace can only come about through justice and compromise. The deepest passion for ending violence and bloodshed. These are the prerequisites to reconciliation and co-existence.
Echoing Rabbi Marmur’s call not to despair, the ‘Omer Project’, which Rabbi Jeffrey Newman created over the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot this year, led to a renewal of hope for those involved. On both sides, says Rabbi Newman, there are so many outstanding individuals engaged in creative projects which flourish even in this wretched period. Rabbi Newman continues: “‘Principled’ Zionism suggests that, while we recognise the importance of the UJIA as the premier charity supporting Israel, we also give our support for Israel by highlighting Rabbis for Human Rights, including the Israel Religious Action Centre of our own World Union for Progressive Judaism, joining the multi-faith Inter-religious Co-ordinating Council, and supporting the 200 projects of the New Israel Fund. By allying ourselves with these five groupings, we become a part of the most vital work in the State of Israel.
Support here is not merely financial, though that is vital. Equally importantly it means we publicise to our communities and the wider society, the work of these five groupings. These five, in their turn, bring us into contact with many more, like the courage and dedication of the Bereaved Parents Circle whose members, including both Israelis and Palestinians, tour the world in the hope that they may bring about a situation where no more parents on either side will have to suffer the unbearable pain of the loss of a child.
“Through this approach, we will ensure that our synagogues will be the first stop for visitors from these projects. Together, we will show that the work of reconciliation and co-existence is thriving, even now.”
At this most challenging of times, Newman, Marmur and Freedland provide us with three pillars on which to develop a Zionism for the present and the future which can ease the discomfort and conflict in our minds and hearts and sustain Israel and the Jewish people through dark times. Reconciliation and co-existence, engagement and clear-sighted realism are the pillars. We must get to work on all three.
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