D'var Torah

This week’s Torah portion speaks of subjects that are very far from our reality – the details of animal sacrifices of all sorts are described along with the ordination of the Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons. While I am committed to writing about the weekly portion and to finding connections for us even when the text feels antiquated or irrelevant, this week I ask your indulgence as I deviate from the parasha to write about my recent experience in Israel.

Beginning on March 14th, 48 members of the TRS community spent a week and a half traversing the land of Israel. From Jerusalem to Tzfat, from the Galilee to shores of the Mediterranean Sea, from our Kibbutz to the busy streets of Tel Aviv – we learned about Jewish history, heard the narratives of the peoples of Israel, ate amazing food, drank Israel’s distinct wines, hiked in nature preserves, dodged traffic, prayed, and sang together. Even with many days of rain, the trip was powerful and joyful, educational and inspiring. Our group bonded through shared new experiences as well as deep conversations about our lives and beliefs. It was an exceptionally meaningful time for all of us.

Of course, while we were having all these experiences, the State of Israel was and is in turmoil. As you surely know, Israel’s current government has proposed significant changes to the political landscape there and most significantly to the Supreme Court — including its justices, role, power, and authority. Currently, the Supreme Court serves as the system of checks and balances against the Knesset/parliament in a State where there is no constitution. Israel’s Declaration of Independence contains a commitment to the basic human rights to which we also aspire. In its own words:

“The State of Israel…will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice, and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education, and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions.”

While the elected members of the Knesset make new laws as coalitions come and go, the role of the Supreme Court is to ensure that the values of the Declaration of Independence are always upheld.  The proposed changes to the Supreme Court will undermine the judiciary's role in preserving this vision of a just and equal society.

While in Israel, some of us attended the protests you have seen in the news. Last Saturday night, 650,000 gathered in Tel Aviv alone. If one relates this to the population in America, the equivalent percentage would have brought out 21 million people. Joining these gatherings was powerful and inspiring. This was not a young person’s uprising. All ages gathered to sing and chant. There were kids in strollers alongside the senior members of society next to young soldiers alongside executives dressed for work, and those in workout clothes. Seeing this was a reminder that the heart of Israel beats for that which is just.

I encourage you to find your way to supporting organizations or institutions that reflect your vision of Israel - whether it is the Reform Movement or some other group. The future of the State is directly connected to the future of the Jewish community worldwide. Please join me in getting involved.

Rabbi Amy Schwartzman