Report of the Israel Task Force - March 2003
Session I
During the first meeting, Task Force members described their personal experiences with Israel and shared their individual perspectives in response to the question, "Why is it often so difficult for BJ members to have a discussion about and to take community action in support of Israel?"While there was not complete consensus across the group on every aspect of the discussion, Task Force members identified three primary causes:
- lack of personal engagement with Israel
- insufficient knowledge about Israel, and
- uncertainty about the value of diversity of thought during a time of crisis.
Points Task Force members highlighted in extensive dialogue about these three causes are outlined below.
- Lack of Personal Engagement
- Although there are exceptions, much of modern American Jewry as a whole is not seriously engaged in issues pertaining to the state of Israel.
- A minority of Task Force members felt we couldn't assume people aren't engaged – many are, and it may be more of an issue of people not necessarily knowing where and how to express their views and to take action.
- The unwillingness of many people to travel to Israel is problematic as it limits their personal experience and precludes first-hand knowledge and the development of personal relationships with Israelis.
- We've been caught up in burning political issues and have been less engaged in things that are about the daily life of Israelis.
- We've done a good job at BJ of integrating Israel into our liturgy, using music and prayer as a "way in" to personal engagement and as an expression of solidarity.
- Insufficient Knowledge of Israel
- Many people – both children and adults – are unaware of Israel's history. Many children only know Israel as a troubled place and have no Zionist perspective.
- For many people, Israel exists only as an idea, and the romantic Zionistic ideal is no longer current, relevant, or sufficient to stimulate intense personal involvement.
- Developing a historical perspective leads to clarification of individual values and deepening of personal commitment to Israel. Knowing the truth, even when uncomfortable, is likely to make our connection to Israel stronger and deeper.
- Uncertainty About the Value of Diversity of Thought
- There is a perception by some that questioning or criticizing the government of Israel is anti-Israel. ("At BJ the reality of this is not as bad as the perception.")
- The perception exists among some members that an "unbalanced view from the BJ bima" discourages dialogue. ("This is, after all, a time of war.")
- A healthy American Jewish community (and by extension the BJ community) would be one that fosters multiple visions – even conflicting visions - portraying a multiplicity of perspectives on Israeli issues.
- There is some lack of consensus and clarity about the core problems that American Jews and synagogues want to address to support Israel.
Session II
Building on the Session I inquiry, in the second meeting Israel Task Force members focused on identifying key goals that they believed should drive and inform BJ's Israel-related activities going forward. The six goals listed below prompted multiple levels of conversation.Goals for BJ's Israel-related Activities
- To respond to the problems Israelis are experiencing as a result of the current crisis;
- To ensure (to the extent that BJ can have an impact) the continued existence of Israel/securing peace;
- To support the development of a democratic, pluralistic, just Israeli society;
- To teach our children and ourselves about Israel and its importance to us;
- To foster personal connections with Israel and Israelis; and
- To define BJ's own voice, vision, and approach to dealing with the new reality.
- increasing leadership (including building tolerance for diversity of viewpoints),
- fostering individual relationships to Israel, and
- developing crisis response and other types of projects.
These themes provided the organizing principle for our Session III discussion.
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