views commentary Israel Engagement: On the Way to Life and Peace L onging for Israel permeated the Jewish world for two millennia — longing for sovereignty, to walk in the spiritual footsteps of ancestors, to fulfill Dr. Stephen the unique religious Hazan Arnoff commandments of the Contributing Writer Eretz Yisrael or simply to call the Promised Land home. With the miraculous emergence of a powerful, independent, Jewish and democratic Israel in our lifetime, new longings have emerged. From synagogues to social media to the political stage, it’s now common to hear pointed, uncomfortable questions about whether Israel is fulfill- ing its promises in the Promised Land. Particularly for those under the age of 35, accepting and supporting Israel’s purpose and realities is no longer a given in the Jewish community. Indeed, in some quarters of the Jewish world, there emerge strong sentiments against Israel. These are painful and frightening trends that need to be addressed. At USCJ’s Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center (FJC) — home of the Conservative Yeshiva, Nativ, Moreshet Yisrael and so much more — our programs of educa- tional and Israel experience do not focus directly on politics, Israel advocacy or anti-BDS activism. We appreciate and support the work that others are doing on these issues. And while many of our students come to FJC deeply immersed in love of Israel, even if it is tempered by critique of Israeli realities on the local and global stage, there are also many students from across the spectrum of background and practice who, for whatever reason, are unsure about how to understand Israel’s purpose. Even as they seek opportunities to study in Israel, they are ambivalent and even opposed to Israeli policies regarding the state’s treatment of non-Orthodox Jews, the place of Arabs in Israeli society or the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. Our job is to encourage these indi- viduals to deepen their long-term con- nection with Israel through a generative, informed, inspiring conversation that will continue with their peers and com- munities back home. As described in a lovely collection titled Yearning for the Holy Land: Hasidic Tales of Israel by Yoel Rappel, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Segal, a student of the Maggid of Mezritch, is said always to have longed to move to Eretz Israel. In fact, when he set out on any journey from his hometown in Eastern Europe, he used to say that regardless of where he was going, the trip was meant to bring him closer to Eretz Israel. It was also said that every letter that he sent included the phrase “on my way to the Holy Land, to life and peace.” Something about Reb Aryeh’s longing resonates with the question of Israel engagement today, and how, at FJC, we approach the challenge. For one, seeking Israel is a constantly evolving process. Reb Aryeh knew he was always moving closer to Israel, but he didn’t know how and he didn’t know when. It was a path that opened before him with each and every step he took. This approach — that the path of Israel engagement is surprising, indi- vidualistic and rarely a straight line — is echoed not just in FJC’s educational approach, but in how USCJ approach- es Judaism: an authentic and dynamic Judaism that changes and evolves in vital kehillot and fully engaged individuals. Many times, young adults who are deeply unsure about Israel’s place in their lives, the life of their communities or on the world stage have not had the oppor- tunity to try new ways of talking about Israel, seeing it differently, even stum- bling on the path to places of discomfort or hard questions within a respectful space of proud, active, vibrant Zionism like FJC that wants to hear them. We embrace open conversation and myriad paths to Israel and Jewish engagement because we hold that, ultimately, there are countless ways to enter the Promised Land. Whether through our Torah of Human Rights track, a weekly Israel Experience program our team is launch- ing this year, or partnering for experi- ences and perspective with blue chip organizations from the left and the right and everywhere in between, we encour- age students to bring their excitement, their doubts and their pre-conceived notions to their learning, knowing that in an authentic and dynamic engage- ment of Israel, everyone has their own path — like Reb Aryeh — to the Holy Land, to life and peace. Eventually, Reb Aryeh found his way to Israel, settling there to study and teach continued on page 10 Arthur M. Horwitz Publisher / Executive Editor ahorwitz@renmedia.us F. 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October 18 • 2018 jn jn 1942 - 2018 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week