Opinion

Seeking Reform Recognition

Riders ran into many animals

during the trip: Here, Rabbi

Daniel pauses for a picture

with the sheep that were

crossing the same river as the

riders in the Jezreel Valley.

I

have a confession to make. I love
traveling to Israel. I love driving up to
Jerusalem to stand on the spot where
Abraham, Isaac and our biblical ancestors
once walked. I love watching the waves
from the Mediterranean Sea crash on the
shores of Tel Aviv against the backdrop
of the modern city's skyline. I love order-
ing falafel, hummus and schnitzel from
Israel's "fast food" restaurants. I love hik-
ing through Israel's parks, seeing trees and
flowers in bloom and learning about the
memorials erected in the parks. And of
course, I love visiting my family members
who live in Israel.
Because of this love, I want the best
for Israel. I want to continue to see Israel
and Israelis featured in the news media
for their rapid response to participate in,
or lead, disaster-relief efforts around the
globe and credited for creative innova-
tions in medicine, technology, science and
agriculture. I want to see all of her citizens
continue to flourish. And as a relatively
young state, I want to see her develop into
the Jewish state where all Jews are able
to practice their Judaism with the same
official Israeli government recognition and
financial support that it provides to the
Orthodox institutions and community.
For this reason, in March, I participated
in the "Ride 4 Reform:' a five-day annual
bike ride that raises money for the Israel
Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ)
and its educational initiatives. The IMPJ
represents Liberal (Reform) Judaism in
Israel much like the Union for Reform

28

April 22 • 2010

Judaism (URJ) in the United States.
volunteer in the city of Jaffa (Yafo) and
The ride covered nearly 200 miles of
work with Christian, Muslim and Jewish
off-road trails taking us from Metulla,
students in an after-school program for
one of Israel's northernmost cities on
underprivileged fourth-graders. During
the border with Lebanon, to
the day, she also volunteers in
Zichron Ya'akov, a city near the
nursing homes and participates
Mediterranean coast known
in Jewish studies courses that
for being one of the first settle-
are taught from a Liberal Jewish
ments in the modern state
perspective.
of Israel. Along the way, we
In ongoing conversations
toured holy and historic sites
with Gavriella throughout the
in Tiberias, Nazareth, Megiddo
five-day ride, her idealism
and Korazim as we rode
concerning what Israel could
through the Central Galilee,
be always shone through. She
Michigan Jewry's partner
believes it is her duty, and
Rabbi Daniel
region in Israel.
the duty of every citizen, to
Sch wartz
help
build a stronger country
Corn munity
Stories From The Road
and
a
better place to live. For
Vi ew
One of the highlights and most
Gavriella, there is no better way
meaningful parts of the trip
to do this than by participating
was spending time with, and getting to
in the Mechina program and giving this
know, the other riders as well as the orga-
diverse group of children a better chance
nizers of the trip. There were 32 riders
for success. Gavriella shared that through
from Israel, Canada and the United States; this program and others, the IMPJ is help-
all shared a passion for biking, Israel and
ing to improve the lives of Israelis and she
Reform Judaism. The stories of one rider
is proud to be part of this positive work.
and one organizer are examples of what
make this ride and organization so special. Progressive Approval
The first is Gavriella. Gavriella was one
The second story is that of Rabbi Gilad
of the four riders who joined us from the
Kariv, the new director of the IMPJ. He
IMPJ's Mechina Program, an optional
shared both success stories and chal-
one-year volunteer program and prepara-
lenges that the IMPJ faces. The big-
tory course for Israelis. Following high
gest challenge — achieving the same
school graduation, participants postpone
official Israeli government acceptance
army duty to take part in this work/study
of Progressive Judaism as they grant
experience. Gavriella is one of 30 partici-
to the Orthodox Jews. If the IMPJ was
pants in this year's program who live and
recognized by the state, it would receive

salaries for rabbis, building permits for
new congregations and funds for edu-
cational initiatives. Reform Rabbis also
face the challenge that the weddings at
which they officiate are not recognized
by the State of Israel. This means that
many non-Orthodox Jews go abroad to
have a justice of the peace officiate at
their wedding because Israel recognizes
weddings performed outside Israel. Upon
their return to Israel, they can then have
their Reform rabbi perform the ceremony
before family and friends. This situation
cries out for change.
Rabbi Kariv also talked about the
IMPJ's new mission to raise awareness
and expand Progressive Judaism in Israel.
Currently, there is only one Progressive
congregation in the Tel Aviv area, a city
that has 1 million Jews, many of whom
would find meaning in a Progressive com-
munity and who would take advantage of
and enjoy the benefits of being part of a
Progressive synagogue.
As I look back on the ride, I am thank-
ful that I was able to share it with Gavriela
and Rabbi Kariv and the other riders. For
I know that with their ambition and drive
and with the leadership of the IMPJ, they
will continue to shape and strengthen one
of the countries I love while making it a
place where all Jews can practice Judaism
in a way that provides meaning and spiri-
tuality.

n

Rabbi Schwartz is a spiritual leader at Temple
Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield.