CURRENT ISSUES FOR OUR IRAC COMMUNITY

A few days ago, we marked Tisha B'Av, (CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO LISTEN TO OUR LATEST PODCAST EPISODE ON CONTEMPORARY TISHA B’AV ISSUES). our annual commemoration of the physical and moral destruction of Jerusalem thousands of years ago, which was brought about by religious extremism. This year, it felt more relevant than ever, coming just as the most extreme government in Israel's history is about to complete its term.
Over the past weekend, violence once again flared in the West Bank, following a provocation by armed settlers who entered a Palestinian village without clearance, which resulted in the loss of Jewish and Palestinian lives. The deadly confrontation was followed by a wave of settler violence, including attacks on Palestinian villages and the arson of two mosques. Tragically, settler violence is becoming ever more prevalent, and not only has the government failed to address it, but it has effectively backed it.

In times like these, it is easy to despair.
But I choose hope.

The immense damage caused by this government, which trampled on so many of the values we hold dear, only sharpens the need to present an alternative path of peace and equality, of respect for everyone who lives in this land. Precisely in moments of darkness, we must light a path forward to a different future and work to make it a reality.

This week, we will celebrate a very different holiday. Tu B'Av, the Jewish holiday associated with love and consolation mentioned in the Mishna as a festival of courtship and engagement. In contrast to Tisha B'Av, when we commemorate the destruction of our national home with a day of fasting and mourning, it is a day on which many couples choose to marry—a day to establish new homes, a day of recovery and renewal.

The proximity is not accidental. Indeed, on Tisha B'Av, we chant the biblical book of Lamentations that depicts the calamity that befell Jerusalem, a poetic work attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. But at weddings, we sing a verse from the same prophet consoling us that "yet again will be heard...in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem...the sound of mirth and the sound of gladness, the voice of bridegroom and the voice of the bride” (33:10). Each new home created is a step in the recovery and renewal of our collective home as a people.

At IRAC and in the Israel Reform Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), we are working for recovery and renewal in two ways.

First, we are standing up to those who seek to destroy Israeli democracy and to those who spread hatred in the name of Judaism. These days, for example, we are preparing petitions to disqualify racist candidates running for the Knesset.

Second, we are working to advance an alternative—one of healing and rebuilding. An alternative based on equality and mutual respect, on a shared society for Jews and Arabs, and on a Judaism that seeks to bring people together rather than excluding or discriminating against them. As we look forward to elections this October, we are not merely waiting and hoping but are busy preparing policy proposals for the next government, which we hope will be one committed to realizing the vision of Israel's Declaration of Independence: A Jewish and democratic state founded upon the principles of justice and peace envisioned by the prophets of Israel.

Out of destruction, we will create consolation and renewal. Out of trauma, we will work toward recovery. Out of devastation, we will build a mikdash me'at—a small sanctuary—founded on kindness and compassion. Yet again will be heard in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sound of hope, the sound of a better future.

Sincerely,

Orly Erez-Likhovski