frontlines
Healing Israeli Society
Former Detroiter works to bridge Israel's
religious-secular divide.
W
hat happens when you put a
rabbi, politician and general
on an El Al plane?
Most of the time you end up with a
feud, but I've just returned from tak-
ing a group of ultra-Orthodox, secular
and religious Israeli leaders on a trip to
London that ended with serious peace-
building and promising results for the
future.
It all began a year ago when we
sat as a team at Gesher ("bridge" in
Hebrew) - Israel's organization dedi-
cated to bridging differences between
Jews — and set out to build Israel's
first leadership course specifically for
up-and-coming talent across the Jewish
spectrum. As a highlight of the pro-
gram, we took this impressive group of
The Gesher leadership group in discussion
participants to London to break away
from the constraints of home and learn tackling it. If we cannot get beyond our
was only one Israeli charity that I
remember my father pulling me aside
from successful models abroad.
differences, we face a serious problem
Of course, the Israelis had a great
standing up to the many threats from
to describe as a kid, and it was Gesher.
time, built close bonds and learned an
without. And in truth, it became part of
Despite being in Israel for four years
my DNA many years ago, growing up in now, and out of Detroit for even more,
enormous amount that they will now
the Hockeytown spirit still reigns
be putting into practice back home. But Oak Park.
we also had some difficult challenges
Family was always super-important
strong. Since the recent opening of
a rink in Holon, I play hockey with
along the way.
in our home, and I was lucky enough
Like any group of Jews, and especial-
to grow up in a family where we put
a group from a wide variety of back-
ly Israelis, we had our dif-
our differences aside to share grounds. We have religious, secular,
the more important things
ferences. And they became
American, Russian, Canadian and even
in life. In Detroit, commu-
explosive when an argu-
native Israelis getting on the ice togeth-
ment broke out over Israel's
nity was also a key part of
er to have a great time.
national draft. An ultra-
the story. Deep involvement
With the helmets on you can't tell
in the Jewish community,
who has long sidelocks or long hair.
Orthodox politician was
volunteering and caring for
fuming about the abuse he
And it's sometimes surprising who has
and his community receive
others was a big part of my
tattoos underneath the gear — often
upbringing, and I always
about their low numbers of
players who are today ultra-Orthodox.
IDF enlistment. A secular
felt it was the culture of our
But while it's great fun playing together,
journalist thought his com-
Detroit Jewish community.
we need the in-depth encounters as
Yoni Sh erizen
I also blame the
munity deserved every bit
well. Things in Israel get very heated
Special to the
of the insult. She was livid.
Midwestern friendliness,
and we need face-to-face dialogue off of
Jewish News
laid-back energy and a
He was embattled. And so
the ice, where it matters most.
Looking forward, I'm in the midst
the argument ensued, tem-
genetic disposition to con-
stantly work on improving things for
peratures rose and the group became
of developing a project that has game-
my work for the Jewish community and
changing potential for Israeli society.
visibly divided.
This was only a microcosm of Israeli now with Gesher in Israel.
Partnering many communities and
organizations into bridge-building pro-
tension today, and it was healthy to
But there were other stops along
go through the exercise overseas. Our
the way. After completing my studies,
grams will be key for the success, and I
group was able to sleep on it, cool off
I headed to England to establish the
hope to make it an international effort.
and find their way to common ground
Jewish Chaplain position at Oxford
But, like any business plan, the most
before going home to communities
University. There I had to balance the
delicate pieces are the people in play.
that reinforce the conflict. And now
delicate tightrope of serving Jews of all
It will take patience, determination
the challenge rests on the shoulders of
backgrounds and levels of observance.
and endurance, but we must do our
these leaders — to take the lessons and It certainly gave me hands-on experi-
best before the recent wave of ten-
put them into practice and build a bet-
ence for my eventual position as a
sion in Israel gets even worse. It's not
ter future in Israel.
director at Gesher.
rocket science, but sometimes it can feel
It was a perfect fit that I ended up
like moving mountains — or to use a
Oak Park Lessons
here. I was always passionate about
Motown analogy, shoveling a driveway
helping people, Israel and my upbring-
How did I end up involved in this
in 2 feet of snow. ❑
ing was very much a bridging experi-
mess? I believe it's one of the greatest
For more information on Gesher or to contact
challenges of our generation, and actu-
ence. We had all types of Jews coming
Yoni Sherizen, visit www.gesherusa.org .
ally feel privileged to be engaged in
through the door at home, and there
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