Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, spoke some difficult truths in his Shabbat sermon this morning. For those of us not present at the biennial, it is decidedly worth reading and reflecting upon.
He speaks about several key issues that challenge us today and culminates with words about Israel. He speaks starkly:
But this Shabbat I am concerned with something else: the studies that show North American Jews to be less and less attached to the State of Israel. This increasing alienation is not our problem alone, but it is more prevalent in our ranks than among our more traditional brothers and sisters—and it speaks to our failure to teach some very important lessons to the members of our synagogues...
If we fail to create a significant presence in Israel, this failure casts doubt on our authenticity as a religious movement. In other words, if we do not become a force in Israel in the next generation, we will have consigned ourselves to the margins of Jewish history.
The possibility he raises is not a scare tactic; it is quite real. It is hard sometimes to think beyond the community or locale that we live in, yet we must remember that the very meaning of the word Jew will be decided in Eretz Yisrael, for good or for ill.
Rabbi Yoffie will deliver his next State of Reform Judaism address two years from now, here in Toronto. I look forward to Emanu-Elniks having the distinct pleasure of encountering him personally. Shavua tov.
I am an Emanu-Elnik who did have the distinct pleaure of encountering Rabbi Yoffe personally at the URJ Biennial this past weekend in San Diego. Paul, Ryan, Joseph and I were all deeply moved by the entire biennial experience, and by Rabbi Yoffe's address in particular. His comments on Israel certainly hit home. He asked of us: Is your congregation planning an Israel trip in celebration of the 60th anniversary? Are you personally planning to travel to Israel this year? To both questions, we were proudly able to answer yes.
Rabbi Yoffe also challenged us to set up a task force of sorts to evaluate our congregation's Shabbat observance. Paul and I brought home materials provided by the Union that will help us explore ways to enhance Shabbat within our congregational life and in our own homes. I look forward to forming a Shabbat Chavurah with interested members.
Finally, we look forward to sharing our truly awesome biennial experiences with our congregation. I urge everyone to mark November 4-8 2009 on their calendars, for the URJ Biennial here in Toronto will surely prove to be a powerful - and I daresay - transformative experience for our wonderful congregation.
Posted by: Robin Leszner | December 17, 2007 at 08:32 AM