In the spring of 2008, Israel will turn 60. What an incredible milestone in the life of the re-born Promised Land.
For centuries, Israel was a concept and an idea. We prayed towards Jerusalem. We prayed for Jerusalem. We prayed for the ingathering of the exiles from the earth’s four corners. But for centuries, we never imagined that Israel would actually become real. Instead, we waited for God to act through the moshiach, our messiah.
And then a group of Zionists who were both dreamers and realists stopped waiting for divine intervention and acted. And incredibly, in the wake of World War II and the Shoah, the dreams of our people came true.
Decades later, Israel is a first-world nation; despite her enemies and international critics, Israel has joined the family of nations and contributed significant advances to agriculture, science, technology and the arts.
Though at times the link between Israel and the Diaspora has frayed, the connection remains. The coming year is a perfect time to strengthen our bond with Israel – her people and her land.
A few months ago, I floated the idea of a Temple B’nai Israel pilgrimage to Israel. We had a meeting in the Blumenthal foyer, and it was clear that a number of our congregants were interested in returning to Israel. Since then, another idea has been presented: “60 at 60,” a joint pilgrimage to Israel, sponsored by our temple, the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, Emanuel Synagogue and Chabad. The goal is for 60 of us (at least) to take part in a mission to celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday.
Most communities would not even try such a pilgrimage. Divisions among the various Jewish organizations and institutions are too great. Oklahoma City is different. More unites us than divides us.
In that spirit, our Israel pilgrimage will be multi-tracked. At times, we will take part in certain activities together; at other times, we will be able to engage in separate activities, reflecting our respective ideologies and preferences, and rejoin the group at a designated time. Around the dinner table, we will have a chance to share our experiences and hopefully our digital photos.
Having a single mission representing Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism, federation and Chabad will be no easy feat. However, we are up to the task. I keep speaking of the concept that our Jewish identities are multifaceted. We can be Reform Jews; we can be pluralistic Jews; politically, we can be liberal, conservative or moderate; but we are also part of k’lal Yisrael, the greater family of Israel … and in that way, we are simply Jews.
A joint mission to Israel is our chance to express our multifaceted Jewish identity and strengthen our bond with our Israeli brothers and sisters.
The proposed dates for our mission to Israel: Feb. 6-14, 2008.
Approximate cost: $3,500 for airfare, hotels, travel, and most meals (This cost could go down, based upon number of participants.); in addition, participants will be asked to make a one-time pledge of any amount to the local federation.
A special note: We are welcome to invite friends and family from out of town.
I am confident that there are a number of congregants in our temple family who want to take part in this “60 at 60” pilgrimage and visit Israel for the first time or the 10th time. This blog is a venue to communicate which aspects of Israel you would like to experience, such as the “old stand-bys” like Masada or the Western Wall or sites off the beaten track or Reform synagogues or even the Israel Religious Action Center. Responding to this blog is easy. Simply click “leave a reply.”
An alternative is to contact me at tbirabbi@coxinet.net or call me at the temple, 848-0965. Let me know if you are interested in attending. I will communicate updated information in future blogs.
Once again, “next year in Jerusalem!” and may we only strengthen our respective communities.
