|
|
From the Rabbi's
Desk..
In just a few short days, some sixty of us will be leaving for Israel. I have lost count of how many times I have led groups to Israel, but it must surely be close to ten trips. A question I often ask myself is why do I do it? The responsibility is great; it is physically difficult and emotionally draining.
There are so many things that could go wrong. Will the flights be on time? Will the hotel reservations be there when we arrive? Will the rooms be satisfactory? How about the meals? Will the schedule work? Will the people get along? How about the kids? Will our Israeli staff be good? Will anyone become ill? There are literally a thousand details to attend to and to worry about. I even worry about the weather. Again, why do I do it? Simply because I cannot conceive of any Jew not personally witnessing the miraculous rebirth of the Jewish people in its own land after 2000 years of exile. I want all of our families, including our children, to walk the streets that the prophets walked. I want them to stand on the ridge from which Abraham had his first view of Mt. Moriah. I want our people to sense the holiness of Jerusalem, to experience the profound sense of peace which descends upon the city as the people prepare to receive Shabbat. I want our people to literally put their hands into the earth of the land and dig up some of its history. I want them to hear the sound of Hebrew as the living language of a living people. I want our families to learn our history, to witness a sovereign Jewish people pulsating with life in its own land, developing its culture and writing its own destiny. I want them to see tiny Israel at work pioneering in technology and medicine, advances which have benefited and continue to benefit people all around the globe. Perhaps it is because I want to show everyone ‘my’ Israel and hope that they will love it and all that it represents, as I do.
Unfortunately, even now in its 60th anniversary year, two thirds of American Jews have not visited Israel. I just cannot imagine a Jew not having a personal relationship with our historic homeland. Generations of Jews yearned and prayed for a return to Zion. We have returned and yet so many have not…not even to visit.
Some people tell me they are afraid to travel to the Middle East because it is not safe. Others tell me they intend to visit….when there is peace. In whose lifetime will that be? Those of us who have children and grandchildren living in Israel cannot relate to such statements. Neither can any of the thousands upon thousands of students, Birthright alumni and other visitors each year understand those sentiments.
Far too many American Jews do not understand or appreciate Israel. The only way one can understand “The Case for Israel,” as Alan Dershowitz put it, is to be there Far too many American Jews do not grasp the enduring truth that our wellbeing as Jews in America and elsewhere, our sense of enduring worth and our sense of pride are all intimately tied to Israel’s existence.
You will probably be reading this piece after our return home. I pray that we all return with memories and inspiration to last a lifetime.
Rabbi Albert Thaler
May/June 06 Message
Sept/Oct 06 Message
Nov/Dec 06 Message
Jan/Feb 07 Message
Mar/Apr 07 Message
May/June 07 Message
Sept/Oct 07 Message
Nov/Dec 07 Message
Jan/Feb 08 Message
May/June 08 Message
GO
BACK
[Daily
Services][
Rabbi Thaler's Message]
[Upcoming Events]
[Adult Education Classes]
[Israel Links]]
[Men's Club Events]
[Sisterhood Events]
[Officers]
[Simchas]
[Directions]
|
