The most divisive and important issue in the Jewish world today. 

There is currently a bill before the Knesset in Israel relating to conversion that will have momentous consequences either way, depending on its passage.   I personally have mixed views on the matter, leading me to the conclusion that it is not entirely impossible for Israel to have a political solution to a religious matter.  There can be a solution that conforms to halacha and at the same time does not monopolise the Ultra Orthodox Rabbanit.  However it is not the place of myself or any other Diaspora Jew to be dictating to Israel how to manage its Governance and legislative program.

What dissapoints me is the lack of awareness, the level of apathy, and the level of ignorance within Diaspora communities in relation to Jewish identity.  I have not seen any informed or objective coverage that strikes at the heart of this issue.  I was particularly dissapointed that last weeks Maccabean contained three articles on this topic, all of which posited positions against the Conversion Bill.  There was no objective coverage, and nothing to clarify that the unity of the Jewish people will not be irrepairably destroyed by clearly assigning control processes over legally recognised conversions to Judasim withinside Israel.

Then I came across a situation here in Australia, very common, whereby a Jewish relationship will never be able to be consecrated in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel (i.e  – recognised by the Orthodox Rabbinate).  These matters are complex constructs of Halacha, involving issues of divorce, descent, and conversion authority.  In this situation, the relationship is between an Orthodox convert and a divorced Cohen. What we need to understand is that no amount of empathy in the world will be able to overcome the statutory structure of halacha with respect to Jewish identity.  The Rabbi’s in our generation are not entrusted with the capacity to modify halacha, rather to uphold it through interpretive means.  There are situations in which Judaism will reject reformist platforms.  However, let’s be clear.  This is not the same issue as the beating drum of Diaspora protaganists who call for pluralism at the expense of Judaism.  There is a political issue, and a religious issue.  Fighting the relgious issue with a political device is counterproductive, and exposes the worst shortcomings of Diaspora Jewry today. 

It is a disgrace that some Diaspora communities are promoting the Rotem Conversion Bill as one that impacts the Diaspora.  This legislation does not change the definition of Who is a Jew for the purpose of the Law of Return.  It does however assert authority within Israel over matters of Jewish tradition that are critical to the Jewish people. 

The Muquata make the point well.     Outside of Israel Judaism is a religious expression, that occasionaly has an expression of nationalism tacked onto it when convenient.  Within Israel, Judaism is foremostly a national expression, that is for much of the population fully and seamlessly integrated into their daily lives through religious expression.  For the most part, the balance of the Israeli population, whilst not religiously observant, are respectful of the traditional values upon which their Country was established. 

It is a shame that such a large section of Diaspora Jewry are rapidly losing their ability to connect to Jewish nationhood and its unique unwaiveable foundations.

Returning to my opening statement – Israel, and Israel alone can manage its religious dilemmas through national solutions.  The Diaspora is monolithic in this respect.  We can deal with our issues of Jewish identity through religiously based community structures.   However we are limited to this level of thinking.   Jewish Nationhood is an ideal to support (one that is very achievable to actualise), but not a political reality in a day of life of the Diaspora Jew.  That is not necessarily “wrong”, and certainly doesn’t preclude Jewish identification.  However we do have to realise that it is a constraint when it comes to resolving matters of religious dilemma. 

Turning our religious differences into a political football and kicking them into the legislative assembly of the State of Israel is not conducive to the type of Israel-Diaspora relationship that we should strive toward.   Yet this is precisely what Benjamin Netanyahu, an unwilling arbiter of this matter, now has to contend with. 

We may not be able to resolve this issue from the shores of Western Australia.  However it is a matter that we should be aware of, informed about, and that we should have the capacity to discuss in an objective and constructive matter.

Next time I visit Jerusalem, may it be soon, I look forward to seeing the above roadsign one kilometre from the centre of the Jewish world.

Tonight is Tisha B’Av.  I am lamenting not over what should be (and will soon be), but over why we as the Jewish people are insufficiently motivated to hasten our redemption.

We live in an age of comfort and freedom.  The sheer thought or concept of forgoing a small amount of personal comfort for the sake of conditioning ourselves to the tragic moments of Jewish history seems a little too foreign for many Jews today.  However there is a paradox built into both the emotions of Tisha B’Av itself, and the contemporary disdain with which so many Jews shun any level of observance of the occasion.

I find it sad and ironic that I can return home from reading Eichah and Kinot, to find that all the while I have been reflecting on the historical injustices imposed on the Jewish people, some of my fellow community members have been sitting at home sending me emails about media bias against Israel.  I fail to understand why so many Jewish people are passionate about their Zionist identity, about Holocaust education, and about fighting anti-Semitism, yet completely dispassionate about Jewish tradition, observance and the religious construct that sits behind their Jewish identity.  I’m not sure what the point of fighting anti-Semitism and Israel bashers is, if there is no purpose to winning the battle.  When Zionist identity and Holocaust identity becomes a surrogate for Jewish identity for so many Jewish people, then we have somehow lost our way.

I was recently having this very discussion with a non-observant friend.   Not only can I well understand him when he says that he has no attraction to Shule based activities, but I can very easily agree with him.   When exploring the issue further he made several claims.  Firstly, that the atmosphere within any of the shules he has sampled seemed to be very judgemental.  Secondly, that the environment seemed to be contrived.  Thirdly, that the shule service itself was laborious and repetitive. 

Whilst I do not entirely subscribe to these latter points, and particularly feel it is unjustified to make such a claim without putting in sufficient personal effort, there is still some validity to the above feedback.  Jewish people tend to be easily judgemental, but religious people in particular can easily become “holier than thou” if they do not place their ego into check from time to time.   This however is an individual matter of character trait as much as it is a communal one. 

So too, a contrived environment is a fairly levelled criticism on many occasions.  More and more Shules in Perth and around the world are trying to put out glossy marketing brochures, attract people by tacking social events (some alcohol laden) onto their religious services.  For example, many of the services for Tisha B’Av tonight were not promoted by the service itself, but by inspriational videos and activities appended to Maariv.  Then, as well as the activities are the people.  If people try to be something they are not, or create an environment that is not genuine with conviction and true personal example, then prospective “clientele” will see right through it. 

This is where our Synagogues are failing.  There is nothing wrong with saying that tonight is Tisha B’Av, and Jewish people who care about Jewish continuity should be participating in the shule service.  If you feel strongly enough to come to a Yom Hashoah commemoration, yet not strongly enough to to come to a reading of Eichah, then the magnetic force field surrounding your Jewish identity is imbalanced.  Our Rabbi’s teach that those who don’t join in the mourning of the destruction of Jerusalem will not share in the joy of its rededication.  So a sexy marketing campaign with posters and videos is not really needed to draw in a crowd.  A sense of self-responsibility, obligation, and committment is required. 

From the individual’s point of view, if they see a Shule competing with any other form of “entertainment” or perceive that desperate measures are being applied towards attracting them, it simply reinforces the negative perception.  It sends a message that ”The Shule is trying something else, because their traditional product does not work”.  It becomes the contrived environment that my friend easily detects. 

In short, the Shule has nothing to be ashamed of by hosting a traditional and time honoured cycle of observance, for both commemorative events relating to Jewish tragedy, and celebratory events relating to Jewish conquest.  The people that do not participate have everything to be ashamed of, by not honouring their traditions, their family heritage, or their birthright.   

I will reserve my comment on the length of Shule services for a later time.  However I do wish to return to the paradoxical nature of Tisha B’Av.  The City of Jerusalem has fallen more than 30 times since it was initially created by King David.  Whilst it has been notionally under Jewish soverigty for the past 43 years, a miracle that we don’t often stop to fully appreciate, the Jewish people have yet to restore its Temple, its Monarchy, and its Governance to observe the tenets of Jewish nationhood.   A little faith and trust in the redemptive message of Tisha B’Av will lead to immeasurable movement towards that ultimate goal. 

The construct of Tisha B’Av is one of mourning and sadness.  Gradually we lessen the intensity of that mourning, and transform our grief and hope into joy.  We know that one day Tisha B’Av will be a Yom Tov of simcha.  We need to understand that Tisha B’Av is not just about torment and tragedy.  It is about rising from the pain of our exile, and restoring our alter of avodat Hashem. 

Those of us who choose to stay away from Shule and use that same time to combat anti-Semitism have the choice to do so.  However I feel that somehow they will continue to identify strongly with the negative components of modern Jewish identity, and lack exposure and participation in the positive components of modern Jewish identity.  More than anything else, they will remain spiritually bereft of sharing in the mission and purpose of the Jewish people, which ultimately is not to secure freedom and rights, but to be a light to the nations and carry the mantle of ethical monotheism.     

May we all join to rebuild the road to Bayit Shlishi.

Calling Friends of Israel!

Calling supporters of democracy and liberty!

Support Israel as the State of the Jewish people.
Defend Israel’s right to live in peace and security.
Ensure accurate and fair reporting on the Middle East.

ATTEND THE LAUNCH OF FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

When: 3.45PM for 4 PM start – Sunday 8 August 2010.

Where: Victory Life Centre, 1 Neil Street Osborne Park.

COME EARLY for the Pre-Launch Seminar

2pm – 2:50pm: Israel101, by Stanley Keyser
Israel’s history, modern Zionism, the Arab conflict, and peace efforts
3pm – 3:50pm: BOOK LAUNCH “Anzacs and Israel” by Kelvin Crombie
How the ANZACs helped the establishment of modern Israel

Support Israel: if it goes down, we all go down

…..José María Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain, when he launched the Spanish friends of Israel a few weeks ago.

(go to http://www.foiwa.org.au/foi-launch for updates)

There are many fantastic community interest groups that fall under the umbrella of the Perth Jewish Community.  The youth movements and younger organisations of the community tend to be far more dynamic than the older ones. 

There is one youth movement in our community that has for a number of years been a stand out contributor to the growth and vibrancy of Jewish life in Perth.  That movement is Bnei Akiva.  Their reputation both locally, nationally and internationally is enviable.  When in Israel the considerable Perth “contingent” of program participants and olim that are members and products of the Bnei Akiva movement, stand proud and are highly acclaimed.  Their leadership skills, creativity, ability to learn Torah at a tertiary level, and their general committment to Jewish unity and tolerance is in every respect world class. 

Like all Jewish youth movements, the members of Bnei Akiva have a free license and a level of autonomy to express their independence and to grow their ideological identity with great pride.  Like all Jewish youth movements, the members of Bnei invest endless hours into preparing and creating activity, fundraising, teaching and promoting their events.  Like all Jewish movements, Bnei Akiva provides a valuable role and perspective that is woven into the broad fabric of the Jewish community.  So what makes Bnei Akiva so unique?

Firstly, the quality of the current leadership.  The commitment and the conviction of the madrichim and the shlichim are what any other Diaspora community anywhere else in the world could only dream of.  Secondly, the uniqueness of the opportunity that they provide.  There are many formal channels for Jewish education.  Our kids attend school, cheder, Torah stream, chevrutot, and interact in a number of educational environments.  Our kids also attend Maccabi, birthday parties, extra curricular activities and interact in a number of social environments.  However there is only one environment where both the educational and social opportunties are blended to deliver the most effective Jewish education of all, being informal Jewish education.   There is also only one movement that will immerse the children of this community into a fully religious environment, spanning tefillah, learning, personal growth, love of Israel and an allround wholesome Jewish identity based on the values of Torah V’Avodah.

Internationally, Bnei Akiva is the world’s largest Jewish youth movement.   It has tens of thousands of members.  Here in Perth, more than 100 children regularly arrive to peulot on Shabbat Afternoon, some of whom have walked a great distance.   There is a very consistent level of participation, and all week many of the juniors “hang out” for Bnei.  To put this in perspective, that is 100 kids in a community of 8,000 people.  Contrast that to other communities, say Melbourne or Sydney with comparitely large Jewish populations.  In per captia terms it would be the equivalent of 600 or 800 kids turning up to Bnei each week. 

However this is not about quantity, it is about quality. 

There was once a time where the Bnei Akiva “environment”, a fully immersed Jewish observant form of community living, could only be experienced within the safety of a camp once or twice a year.  However it seems that today Bnei Akiva never stops.  The reports from Machane Oomph were sensational, but in the lead up to camp, and beyond the finish of camp, the living environment of the members of Bnei Akiva doesn’t change.  It is as committed, and as Jewish, and as effective from week to week as it is at camp.  It is even more important to carry this momentum beyond camp.  This allows Bnei to be as visible as they can be, and to demonstrate in front of and within the Perth Jewish community what Religious Zionism represents, and why it is a winning formula for Jewish continuity.

Jewgle Perth is delighted to sponsor this week’s Chaver in recognition of the outstanding service that Bnei provides to our community.  May it go B’ezrat Hashem from strength to strength, and continue to be a shining example of the vibrancy of the Perth Jewish community.

Anyone in the media will tell you that their news networks simply pump out content to support the sale of advertising.  In these days of lazy journalism, a news product preys on either the invasion of privacy, promulgation of misery, or the stirring of a non-issue to create a headline.  Quite often it can be all three simultaneously.

The real news is often concealed or of no consequence.  As a consumer I am sick of being “dummed down” by the pathetic quality of journalism that we are forced to endure. 

More than anything else I am sickened by the lies and propaganda that consistently deligitimises Israel. 

Here is one small story I read in Israel National News today.  It provides perspective and an insight into a reality that the mainstream media would never contemplate to share.  It shows the complexity and the absurdity of everything that its typical to the Israeli experience.

Hamas Sends Patients to Israel for Care

by Maayana Miskin Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv treats up to 100 patients a month from Gaza, and often Hamas takes the role of middleman between Gaza residents and the Israeli hospital, Ichilov Director Professor Gabi Barabash said Thursday. Barabash spoke to Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara, a resident of the Druze village of Dalyat El Carmel near Haifa, who was touring the hospital and viewing its care for foreign Arab patients.

In addition to caring for patients from Gaza, the Ichilov staff treats many citizens of foreign Arab countries, including those that have no diplomatic ties with Israel. They all receive dedicated care, and the relatives who accompany them are provided with free food and a place to stay, Barabash said.

Kara praised the hospital’s care at the end of the tour. Ichilov treats all of its patients equally, he said, but it is not the only one, and hospitals throughout the country send hundreds of people home to Gaza in good health each month after they arrived in Israel suffering from serious ailments.

He condemned Hamas for benefiting from the arrangement while giving nothing in return. “The time has come for Hamas to give us something small in return,” he said, “to release a single son of ours, who has been held for four years with no medical care, in exchange for the hundreds of people whose lives Israel saves every month.”

Kara called on Arab countries to take action: “I call on those Arab countries that are aware of how much we give them when it comes to medicine to call for Gilad Shalit’s release as well.” Shalit’s release would “make the peace talks much more meaningful,” he added.

Don’t bet on reading about this in the West Australian!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the masses of aid money, political capital, media investment, and academic thought went into real humanitarian objectives, and to supporting Israel’s plight to be a productive regional contributor at the centre of a prosperous Middle East.  Instead all of that energy and resource gets placed into a growing concoction of unfounded aggression and vective directed at Israel, and is building in front of our own eyes an uncontainable inversion of the truth.  It’s time for human nature to overtake the grotesque political and journalistic trend of legitimising, supporting and bbetting terrorist regimes.