Where Does Israel Advocacy Belong in a Synagogue
This past Shabbat, I shared with our BZBI community my reflections from my first AIPAC Policy Conference. I talked about my personal experience and then shared my questions, fears, and hopes I have for our BZBI community around Israel Advocacy. I want to thank everyone who attended, and if you are interested in continuing the conversation, please reach out to me!
As a Director of Community Engagement, sometimes I feel like a Jewish Identity therapist. One of my primary goals is assist to people to feel empowered by their Judaism. I help people discover or strengthen those connections. Through meeting with members, hearing their passions and talents, I have worked with many of our members to create meaningful opportunities at BZBI. I believe our community is rich and inclusive when our members bring their passions to the table. And that is why I want to ask “Where does Israel Advocacy belong…” and not “Does Israel Advocacy belong…”
To echo what Rabbi Friedman said on Yom Kippur, I have fears talking about Israel publicly as an employee of the congregation, but I feel it is important because Am Israel is a part of many of our Jewish identities. Today during services, we expressed multiple times the Jewish people’s connections to Israel. We need to nurture that connection in our Jewish communal space. I am concerned that we will stay silent in the Jewish community around Israel because it is too difficult, personal, and sensitive a topic – thus not allowing anyone to nurture their connection. I believe it is the responsibility of any Jewish community to offer many channels for people to connect to their Judaism, be it their prayer, study, Tikkun Olam, and/or Israel.
Spending time with BZBI member Harris Devor at the conference, I learned why his work with AIPAC is important to him. He asked me, “When we stand with something or with a value, what action do we take?” It is a good question. For Harris, and the 18,000 others at AIPAC, AIPAC is their action. It is their action to express their Zionism. With that said, I thought of those who may not be comfortable expressing their views or may not be passionate about politics, and had to ask, “What role does advocacy play in a synagogue, where many people have a connection to Israel, but some may not feel comfortable in the political arena?” That is a question I am still pondering – how do we make Israel Advocacy accessible to those who are interested, but also not turn others away?
This brings me to my fear. I want to share it, but also end with my hope. In the past year, I have heard about two Conservative communities who had to ban – yes ban – their Israel Advocacy groups. I do not envy those Board of Directors. I have to ask, “What actions drove these communities to reach that decision?” If our communities are as rich as the passions of our members, this could not have been an easy decision.
I know that this reflection opens the door for more conversations and more engagement around advocacy. I am also aware that advocacy is an activity that not everyone is completely comfortable with. Being uncomfortable is okay. Being shut down, feeling excluded, not feeling safe in a holy community, is not. And that is a fine line. But, I also know the members of BZBI and the kindness we show to one another. How we are willing to try new things and how we ask meaningful, deep, respectful questions of each other. As we begin to find Israel Advocacy’s place in a synagogue, I trust our community members to realize they may hear things they don’t fully agree with, but will be respectful. Because at the same time, if Israel Advocacy is your way of connecting, of expressing your Jewish values/identity, then it has a place.
It is just as important to remember that our communal responsibility is larger than our members. If we are not open, then we shut the door to those who are unsure if a synagogue is the right place for them. I met and talk with people interested in BZBI and listen to their fears. I hear, “I am scared to come because I don’t want to mess up.” “I am scared to come because I dropped out of Hebrew School.” “I am scared to come because I don’t know anyone.” It is scary. I thank people who come to talk to me, because it takes courage to look for connection. But I also assure them, we will support them to find that connection.
And who knows how many people, who are just putting their toes into our community’s waters, will find Israel Advocacy as their connection? But they will not find that connection if it is not respectful and open. Sometimes in the Jewish community, we spend so much time talking to those who know every acronym or every piece of Jewish geography, that we forgot how many people want to be connected, but can’t find the opening. I know the power of our community and believe it is a gift and treasure that needs to be shared, not locked away. We are a welcoming community who works hard to accept everyone I don’t want that to disappear.
Knowing our BZBI community, I am hopeful that these conversations will strengthen the various channels we have for engagement.
Tags: advocacy, community, Israel
