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September 2, 2009
For many concerned about the future of Jewish life, there is no more important — and perhaps no more threatened — ethic than that of “peoplehood.” Jews are a tiny minority of the world’s population, with about half living in Israel and the rest dispersed among a few big countries and a number of smaller ones. “Peoplehood” is the notion that despite our geographic dispersion, our social and religious differences, and our historical circumstances, we have a responsibility to one another.
It is troubling, then, that in a time of vulnerability for Israel and genuine concern about Jewish belonging, there are some in positions of power who would seek to divide this small people, and limit the ways searching Jews can access this sense of peoplehood. But that is exactly what Israel’s Religious Affairs minister, Ya’acov Margi, seemed to intend in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. “I recommend to those organizations that do not want to accept [Orthodox] halacha to build their own mikvaot and their own synagogues according to their own halacha,” said Margi. In other words: Don’t expect state funding unless you accept Orthodox interpretations of Jewish law. Reform and Conservative need not apply.
Margi was merely articulating the philosophy behind a trend that non-Orthodox religious movements have been struggling against for years. In specific areas, these movements have accepted the Orthodox rabbinate’s control of marriage, divorce, and kashrut in Israel. What they seek, however, is a degree of parity in state funding for their programs and institutions. The goal is not to “compete” with Orthodoxy; it is, rather, to offer alternatives for the many, many Israelis who are searching for a spiritual home but have not found one within the Orthodox streams. Margi seems to suggest that when it comes to religious expression, it’s either Orthodoxy or nothing.
It’s not just disengaged Israelis who lose out when the State of Israel ignores or insults non-Orthodox movements. The bonds between American Jews and Israel depend on a sense of shared purpose and identity. That purpose and identity is eroded by political decisions that show disrespect to American behaviors and inhibit the growth in Israel of institutions where Diaspora visitors and immigrants can feel at home.
If “peoplehood” is to have any meaning, Israel’s politicians must recognize the diverse ways in which Jews seek connection to their religion, their fellow Jews, and their homeland.
Reader Discussion
Comment on this article
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Yankel Moishe
September 04, 2009
Is there maybe a misunderstanding here? Do not maybe the “non-Orthodox movements” need to understand that “Orthodoxy” does not consider itself another “movement” among others, but the sole legitimate representative of historical Judaism? Under this precondition, how else could they react?
YM
P. S.: Is an advert for “scientology” next to this article not a bit inappropriate?
Andrew Popik
September 04, 2009
Is it worth mentioning that there has been some advancement in the issue of parity for the non-Orthodox Movements and that we members of the non-Orthodox Movements have some responsibilities to assist these efforts? I am referring to some of the decisions of the Israeli Supreme Court and the efforts of Kehilat Yozma, an Israeli Reform Community.