By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – Congregants of Tifereth Israel Synagogue observed both Israel Memorial Day and Israel Independence Day on Wednesday night with prayers, singing, dancing, flag waving, and a frank discussion about the embarrassment some feel over the current course of the Israeli government.
Cantor Hanan Leberman, an American-born Israeli who commutes to the Conservative congregation under contract for special occasions, led the discussion, saying “this government is the most racist government Israel has ever had – Jewish racists. There are a couple of party members and ministers of the government who have actually been put on the terrorist list of the Shin Bet, and now they are ministers in our government … We say that is our homeland, but sometimes our homeland isn’t perfect.”
“I am proud to be a Zionist Jew, someone who believes that the Jewish people have the right to self-determination in our homeland in Eretz Israel,” he added. “I have served my country and I will continue to serve my country in the reserves until they kick me out, and then I’ll find another way to fit in, but at the same time, it is really hard to defend this government and even serve this government.”
Sue Braun, a former member of the San Diego Unified School District Board, said while she loves the land and is proud of what Israelis have accomplished, she is “embarrassed” by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push to take away power from Israel’s independent judiciary. Also, she said, “I am embarrassed that it is common knowledge that Israel receives more money than any other country from the U.S. yet flaunts all U.S. wishes in regard to foreign policy.” Further, “I am embarrassed to see photos of rightwing Israelis marching in Arab sections with Israeli flags yelling ‘death to Arabs.’ This is not Jewish behavior.”
Braun also expressed embarrassment over the Israeli government permitting haredi Jews to decline to serve in the Israel Defense Force. “It is beyond me that that a group that takes so many resources from their country will not stand and fight for their country, not even in a supporting role.”
Steve Abramson, the former longtime executive director of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, suggested that San Diegans unhappy with the Israeli government should participate in people-to-people activities such as the Federation’s partnership with the municipality of Sha’ar Hanegev, which sits along the border with Gaza. “The community is wonderful, the people are engaged, and the reason we did this was because we know that governments come and go, people can get a little angry at Israel from time to time. This transcends it all because their people and our people have a common purpose.”
Other members of the congregation said while they are disappointed with the government, their love for Israel and its people remains unabated. They suggested working with various organization that have and will continue to embody aspects of Israel that they admire. Yiftach Levy recommended support for the Friends of the Israel Defense Force (FIDF). Rosalind Alina recommended support for the American Friends of the Magen David Adom, pointing out that the organization often responds to medical crises around the world.
Norman Kort said he was required to serve in his former country’s military before his emigration to the United States. While he didn’t specifically mention the name of that country, it is widely known that he had immigrated here from South Africa, which, at the time, had enforced separation of the races through its apartheid policies. In contrast, he said, Israelis, excepting the haredim, want to serve in the IDF. “As I was brought up, Israel was it; Israel was always correct. Now I believe that Israel is totally going on the wrong path and I am sorely conflicted.”
Debbie Mishek, a former president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, said that children should be taught to be critical thinkers, and to be able to say “we love Israel but we do not agree with this policy and we are not going to support this.’ I think that should be taught in Torah school.”
Agreeing, the congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Mathew Marko, said if children are not taught about Israel, warts and all, but are told that everything there is wonderful, later on when they are confronted by anti-Israel protesters, “they think, well wait a minute, they lied to me back then” and they can be flipped.
He told of a family with which he attends seders whose son, in his mid 20s, at the end of the seder will turn his back on the table while the rest of the gathering sings Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem. “I try to have a conversation: listen I don’t agree with everything America does but I still stand for the National Anthem. I love this country and by you turning your back you are saying that Israel has no right to exist. He kinds of nods his head.”
While the forum was polite and restrained, there were some disagreements.
Attorney Joel Weissler suggested that there is value in Haredim being permitted to study Torah instead of serving in Israel’s military. In the United States, he pointed out, “even in our worst wartimes we gave deferments to serving to those who are studying things that we thought were important. Those going to college, those who were going to be our scientists. From an Orthodox perspective, and perhaps it should be a Jewish perspective, there is a unique and extreme value for the love of studying … Torah, our history and religious philosophy.”
While what number of people should be exempted for such purposes can be debated, he said, “for those who are serious students of our religious origins and our philosophy, maybe it is okay that they don’t serve and that they continue studying.”
Rabbi Marko expressed disagreement with this, saying that in Pirke Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) “it is pretty clear: if there is not flour, you cannot have Torah. In other words, you can do both. You can take the time to serve the country that is protecting you and allowing you to study. … It’s a terrible excuse of the vast majority of these people to be on the dole and not serve and give back to their country.”
An unidentified congregant, who serves in Israel’s reserve forces, said among his comrades it is painful to see Haredim exempted from military service. He paraphrased one Israeli soldier saying: “It’s not fair that we have to take arrows from the front, and also from the back. I can’t take arrows from both sides.” He told of two members of Haredi families who joined the IDF and were ostracized by their community. Cut off, they were like Lone Soldiers from other countries, who serve in the IDF without any family members to go home to on leave, he said.
Another unidentified congregant said she will continue to support Israel because she considers this government to be a blip on the screen, “if you count the number of governments Israel has had and how many it will have. … governments come and go. In six months, we have a totally different government there.”
Mishek responded that if the Israeli government is successful in stripping power from Israel’s judiciary, it is not likely that policy will change if a new government is elected. “Any time a government takes more power, they never give them up. So, if changes are made, they will be permanent.”
Rabbi Marko said there is a local Zionist group, very pro-Israel, that opposes the government’s policies. “They are pro-preserving Israeli democracy,” he said. “They have had three rallies so far, and it is growing. This Sunday, if you wish to be there, there will be a rally at noon supporting Israel remaining democratic … at UTC (University Towne Center). … I plan on being at that rally.”
The forum ended with congregants standing for the singing of Hatikvah.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor emeritus of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com