MERCAZ Newsletter - Purim 2000

RECOGNIZING THE CENTRALITY OF ISRAEL

(Rabbi Robert R. Golub, Executive Director of MERCAZ USA, served as a guest speaker at the recent '99 United Synagogue Biennial Convention. He led a workshop on "Recognizing the Centrality of Israel Through Out the Year")

More than two years ago, MERCAZ USA undertook an educational project to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Zionist Movement and the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel. Central to the project, entitled"Celebrating the Zionist Dream", was a booklet of essays by leading lay and rabbinic thinkers in the Conservative Movement who discussed the meaning of Zionism "into the 21st century".

In one of the essays, Dr. David Lieber, president emeritus of the University of Judaism, wrote: "Political Zionism has achieved its goal. But Zionism, itself – the Jews' love for Zion –cannot be dismissed without destroying one of Judaism's central tenets and ultimately without leading to the Jewish people's disintegration." As a people, we are kept together by our connection to Israel, the central hub around which all the spokes of Jewish life are arranged. Yet, too often, for most synagogues, Israel is a once- or twice-a-year activity, a brunch for UJA or Israel Bonds or a service for Yom HaAtzmaut, usually on the Shabbat immediately before or after.

The following is a list of twelve simple programs that can be incorporated into the yearly calendar of the synagogue on virtually a daily or weekly basis. Though each in his own right may be considered a small act, when taken together, they demonstrate forcefully the centrality of Israel in our lives and tradition.

1. Use the Hebrew date, along side the "Western" date in all synagogue correspondence;
2. Recite the Prayer for the State of Israel at all Shabbat and Holiday services;
3. Recite the Mee Sheberekh and the Moleh for the Israel Defense Forces during Torah and Yizkor services;
4. Purchase Israeli products (wines, soups, etc.) for use at synagogue kiddushim and other functions;
5. Emphasize the use of proper Hebrew names, as opposed to Yiddish translations and nicknames (i.e. Dov instead of Ber, Yaakov instead of Yankel);
6. Subscribe to English-language Israeli periodicals (Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Report, HaAretz) for the synagogue library;
7. Organize visits to see exhibits and performances of Israeli artists;
8. Encourage the use of modern spoken Hebrew and form a "Chug Ivri";
9. Organize an evening of congregant-led presentations on Israel, such as "My Favorite Sights in Israel" or "How I Participated in the War of 1948 or 1973";
10. Affix a Mizrach on theeastern wall of your home to note the direction of Jerusalem ;
11. Establish a permanent "Israel Wall" in your synagogue;
12. Schedule a congregational trip to Israel.