The New Year is a time to take stock of what you have accomplished in the past year as well as dream of what could be if you only have the courage to stay true to your convictions. I have dedicated my life to making pluralism a reality in Israel. I want Israel to be a spiritual home to Jews from all countries and denominations. It is a process that requires dedication and faith that, sooner or later, equality will win the day.
Last year, I was arrested at the Western Wall for wearing a tallit and saying the Shema, Judaism’s central declaration of faith, in full voice. I had a realization while I sat in prison. I sat with my hands cuffed, and basic actions, like the full freedom of movement that I normally take for granted, were limited in ways I could not describe beforehand. I think I might have learned to function with such limited mobility and freedom if I stayed in those cuffs. But why should I?
Reform and progressive Jews in Israel have become accustomed to living in metaphorical handcuffs. We have been living as second
class Jews in the eyes of the State for so long that we have learned to function this way. But why should we? We all accept the statement, “It is easier to be a progressive Jew outside of Israel,” as a given. But why should we?
Equality is the Jewel that I pray for this Elul. The Jewish New Year welcomes each of us and does not discriminate on the basis of our affiliations; we all pray to be inscribed in the Book of Life. Israelis deserve pluralism and we will not rest until we are so used to it being a reality that we simply “take it for granted.”
Read blogger Marge Eiseman’s response to this Jewel HERE.
