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January 22, 1999/5 Shevat 5759, Vol. 51, No. 17
Israeli elections will affect us as Jews
RABBI JEROME M. EPSTEIN
Special to Jewish News
With the call for early elections in Israel, traditional alignments began to crumble. New parties formed, would-be candidates assessed public support.
The leadership of the American-Jewish community called for Diaspora Jews to demonstrate their commitment to Israel by supporting - rather than trying to influence - the choices that the Israeli people will make. I strongly disagree with that approach. Indeed, I believe that American Jews have an obligation to become involved in Israeli politics.
When it comes to economic growth or national security, Israelis must be free to make decisions without pressure from those Jews living outside its borders. But the message Israel conveys about its religious minorities - Jewish and non-Jewish - is a legitimate concern for Jews in the Diaspora. I am troubled about the way Israel treats me as a non-Orthodox religious Jew; and feel it is appropriate for me to express my opinion about the impact of religious law on concerns that extend beyond the boundaries of that nation.
Jews take pride in claiming that we are part of a unified people; that we are interconnected. What Jews in Israel do is my concern. Likewise, how I feel and how I grow as a Jew should matter to Israel and its Jewish citizens. Even more, it is not merely our right to express our opinions and share our concerns on issues that directly affect us as Jews; it is our obligation. As caretakers of our own destiny, we must assume responsibility for it. Being citizens of the Jewish world, we are commanded to help keep it vibrant and dynamic.
During the recent turmoil about religious pluralism in Israel, many American Jews felt Israel ignored our desire for a more open approach to religious expression. We felt disenfranchised. Now is the time for self-empowerment. As Israel's political parties prepare for spring elections, they will turn to American Jews for financial support. We may choose to give that support - but with that support must come expression of our concerns. If we do not use the next several months to lobby for our own interests, we will have no right to object when - at a later time - we are ignored.
What we say and how we say it is important in ensuring that the state of Israel will be responsive to the concerns of those Jews outside its borders who are committed to the unity of the Jewish people.
Too, the Israeli media will be allocating significant resources to the campaign for Israel's leadership. By writing op-ed pieces and letters to the editor, American Jews can make their voices heard in Israel. Our opinions are important in helping these newspapers present a representative sample of the concerns of world Jewry.
Those who share a desire to affect Jewish life have a unique opportunity to influence the religious, spiritual and cultural policies of the Jewish homeland. We have a special obligation to help shape the Jewish nature of Israel. We dare not sit quietly on the sidelines.
Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein is executive vice president of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the association of Conservative congregations in North America.
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