Update from Haifa: To the people of America and Barack Obama, we salute you!
January 21, 2009
Community | Israel | Social Action
(2 comments)
The Union has been receiving regular updates from Rabbi Edgar Nof of Or Hadash, a progressive congregation in Haifa, Israel. Here is a recent email:
Dear Friends,
Shalom! I want to write tonight to all of our friends in America and around the world, to commemorate the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, and the first African American president, as a very special event. I hope that Obama's administration will bring about positive change, embrace peace and security, and also promote economic stability to the world. Now it is our turn to be in support of you, and we have done so by raising the American flag in our preschools to show our love and solidarity. We all at Or Hadash wish Barack Obama and the American people good luck on this very historical day and in the coming four years. Mazal Tov!
I also want to say that we in Israel are very relieved to report that the war in Gaza has come to a close after three long weeks. Despite us being afraid that Hamas will take this opportunity and time to build up their arsenal of weapons, we are glad that we can finally rest easy that our sons, friends, and relatives are longer in immediate danger, on all sides of the border. Tonight we are praying that the ceasefire will last, and that peace will prevail. Those of us who are optimistic are still hoping for a better and more hope-filled future for the state of Israel and the Jewish and Palestinian peoples.
Personally, I hope that the Palestinian leadership will realize that this can not be done by attacking Israel with rockets, but by once again by being open to taking real steps towards peace, while allowing the people of Israel to return to some degree of normalcy in our lives. Still we are very thankful to have had the support and constant outpouring of love from our Jewish friends abroad, especially in America, who have remained so loyal to Israel throughout the duration of the war.
In Friendship,
Edgar
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Rabbi Nof said -- Now it is our turn to be in support of you.
In an American Jewish community where, most of the time, most of the Jews are staunchly pro-Israel, the question has been asked -- What's the difference between being a Zionist and being pro-Israel. And since I an not one who equates Zionism with a personal commitment to make Aliyah, my answer has been that a Zionist is one whose commitment to Israel goes beyond the philanthropic (as expressed in contributions to the UJA) and includes a sense of mutual responsility one for the other. Ki mitzion tetzeh Torah -- Torah still comes to us from Zion, and I read that message into Rabbi Nof's welcome statement.
We are pleased that our chevreh (friends) at Or Hadash are so excited about our new leader. Now we have to hope that we will be able to be as excited about their new leader! Let's check back on that on February 11th.