Letters from Israel

Israel is at war, but you wouldn’t know that walking along to beach in Tel Aviv. There wasn’t one “red alert” while I was there. The joggers and bikers were out in force, and you have to be careful not to get run over.  Volleyball and Makkot and soccer games were going on, up and down the beach. I also caught this scene:

I found myself thinking “Yeah, it’s an upside down world” we are living in. On the other hand, it is hopeful to find people trying to capture some moments of relief and release, even in these troubled times. Some of those enjoying the promenade, brought their concerns with them. There were quite a few wearing this tee shirt: 

Another city - Jerusalem.  This is how the World Zionist Building of the Jewish Agency looks at night: 

The pictures speak for themselves.  But, of course, there is more to say.  Inside the building, we met with Gali Pearl, who works for the WZO.  He was previously a Major in in the Military Police, specializing in Criminal Investigations (think CSI).  He was called in to help sort out the personal items of soldiers found after the October 7th Massacre.  There were some very emotional moments, times when each member of his team had to step away from the materials they were handling and just cry.  For him, it was the moment when they found the baby clothes one of the soldiers had bought for his child but never got to take home.  They were still in his duffle bag.  Gadi has a 3-month old baby.  There was also a bullet-ridden book of Psalms.  What words from that book come to immediately to your mind?  I found myself thinking “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow…” 

But there was also hope in Jerusalem.  There are people on the streets.  People in cafes.  And then, we met with some students who are here for  Nativ - a yearlong gap year program created by USY (United Synagogue Youth). It usually consists of Jewish studies, learning about Israel’s history, geography, politics, social and religious life.  As part of this, the students travel around the country. Some also take courses at Hebrew University and/or the Conservative Yeshivah.  Fifteen students started the year in September.  Then the war broke out.  Fourteen chose to stay in Israel.  They have added volunteer work to their curriculum.

Our group of 25 rabbis and the students decided into smaller groups to talk about how we are all experienced October 7th and are dealing with the ongoing war in Gaza.  These are the students who where in our group. Joseph is from England, Kayla is from Englewood, NJ, and Noa is from Albany, NY.  They chose to stay in Israel, because they are committed to being here together as a group and together with the Jewish people.  They also said that given what is happening on college campuses and the anti-Semitic demonstrations in US cities, they actually feel safer here.  They convinced their parents that they were mature enough to handle being here.  The rabbis who were with them couldn’t agree more. Hope for the future of the people of Israel and the Jewish community of the US.  And, in a week, more students with come. 

One last story.  Tonight our group of American Rabbis had dinner with some of the Maserati Rabbis of our Movement in Israel.  Two of the young rabbis were familiar faces.  Nava and Yerach were celebrating their first anniversary when they accompanied one of our TBS groups to the Kotel for Kabbalat Shabbat and then dinner.  Now they have a toddler and one on the way.  How’s that for hope!  They promised to join us again the next time we have a group in Israel.

I’ll share some more stories on Shabbat morning.  For now: