Last week, I took part in an unusual journey with the Gladstein Fellows, participants in a program at The Jewish Theological Seminary for developing entrepreneurial leadership for small communities, along with leaders of Masorti Olami. Twelve rabbis came from the US, along with lay leaders and donors. We set out on a learning adventure in Argentina and Chile, to see a variety of models of community up close and learn how Masorti ideology plays out in those countries in a variety of notes, colors, and tastes.
It was so refreshing to see the differences, and it was so empowering to discover what was shared: a love of Torah, communal responsibility, Zionism, and a commitment to a vital and meaningful Jewish future. The trip reminded me how important it is to build a living network among rabbis and communities across the Masorti world — a network of learning, support, inspiration, and shared responsibility.
Our movement is broad and strong around the world not because we are all identical, but because within our diversity, one heart beats. As Rashi comments on the singular verb in the verse “Israel camped there” (Ex. 19:2), “they were like a single person with a single heart.” What an amazing people we are! ‘Am Yisrael ḥai! The Jewish people lives!
