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32

July 12 • 2018

jn

The Importance Of
Unification

A

Parshat Mattot/
Massei: Numbers
30:2-36:13; Jeremiah
2:4-28, 3:4.

s the Israelites move closer
to conquering the land of
Canaan and the land is divided
between the 12 tribes of Israel, two of
the tribes, Reuven and Gad, ask Moses
for permission to settle outside of
the land of Israel opposite the Jordan
River.
Moses considers the request, ques-
tioning how the leaders of Reuven
and Gad could go against the
plexity of Judaism in America,
commitment made by the
a country with separation
previous generation to unite
between synagogue and state
as one people. The tribal
(more frequently referred
leaders of Reuven and Gad
to as church and state) asks
respond that while they may
Israelis to consider Jewish
build cities for their families
religious practice in their own
and farmland for their ani-
lives, a different challenge in
mals, they would continue
Israel as compared to the U.S.
Davey Rosen
to battle alongside the other
because, in Israel, Judaism, a
Israelite tribes in the conquest
faith based on personal com-
of Canaan, the land Jewish
mitment to a community of
tradition teaches was prom-
practice that has evolved over
ised to the people of Israel.
centuries, is institutionalized
The tribes of Reuven and Gad would
in a government agency.
uphold their commitment to be part
Life is ever-changing and migration
of one people.
is common. I think the Torah is telling
Moses agrees the tribes can remain
us that a diaspora is inevitable; people
on the east bank of the Jordan, but
move; not all of the Jews will remain
they are required to be in relationship
in the Land of Israel. Yet the tribes of
with their fellow Israelites.
Reuven and Gad vow to remain part of
Much of my understanding and
the people — so, too, do we, American
commitment to Israel stems from my
Jews and Israeli Jews, need to con-
relationship with Israelis. As a Jewish
tinuously renew our vows to Jewish
educator, I’ve developed relation-
peoplehood.
ships with Israeli educators working
While American Judaism and Israeli
across the spectrum of Israeli society.
Judaism continue to grow and change
All see incredible importance in both
based on different contexts, we share
American Jews engaging with Israel
deep similarities and values and a
and Israeli Jews engaging with the
shared responsibility to pursue justice
American Jewish community. We
for ourselves and all humanity. •
represent the two centers of modern
Jewish life.
Davey Rosen is a Jewish educator based in Ann
Engagement with Israelis has led
Arbor and a rabbinic student at the Academy
for Jewish Religion in New York.
me to become a more intentional
American Jew. As I gain a deeper
understanding of the dilemmas
CONVERSATIONS
and questions with which Israelis
In what ways is your life impacted
themselves grapple, I am forced to
by Israel? How has the relationship
ask questions about American civil
between the American Jewish com-
society and how my Jewish values can
munity and Israel developed over the
intentionally be reflected in my deci-
past 70 years? What possibilities do
sion-making process. A similar chal-
you see for the future of this rela-
lenge is true for Israeli Jews as well.
tionship?
Understanding the diversity and com-