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Ra’anana and the Jewish Connection

As we travel through the High Holy Days and the Days of Awe, we are soul searching as individuals and as a collective. One of the great mitzvot that we are fortunate to perform as a community is our profound and continuing effort to enhance Jewish tradition and identity among Israelis.

 

It might sound bizarre: why are Israelis in need of Jewish support from a New Jersey community? The answer is clear to the many activists who are taking part in this endeavor: Israeli society is ripped apart by the split between the religious (dati’im) and non- religious (hilonim).

 

This becomes a major threat to the future health and strength of Israel. Our momentous mission is to focus on the common ground, to demonstrate and to prove that there are many ways to be a good Jew. Ra’anana is one good example.

 

Located north of Tel Aviv, Ra’anana is an affluent and successful city. “They don’t need our money” is a typical reaction when we present it proudly as one of our partnered communities. Perhaps, but they do need our involvement, passion, cooperation, solidarity, and our moral support. And yes, no doubt, we need the same from them. Actually our partnership with Ra’anana is a reflection of the notion that global Jewish connections and peoplehood are not based on charity but rather on mutual respect and reciprocity.

 

When we started our relationship in the early 1990s, we focused on the absorption of new olim (immigrants). It was the time of the big wave of aliyah from the Former Soviet Union, and the MetroWest Jewish leadership considered their rescue, absorption, and integration an historic joint venture between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. Together with the local Ra’anana leadership, headed by a newly elected young mayor, Ze’evik Bielski, we created the first “direct absorption” project in Israel.

 

Soon enough we realized that since this became a true partnership between our two vibrant communities, we needed to highlight and celebrate our shared Jewish values. One of the things that the MetroWest leadership could not accept was the destructive growing rift between the different groups in town.

 

The response was immediate and wide spread: we initiated dialogues between synagogues and schools, we helped create educational institutions that brought Jewish values to the so-called secular students, we supported the non-Orthodox congregations of Ra’anana, and we hosted many shlichim (emissaries), nine Ra’anana rishonim (young emissaries), and visitors so that they could explore the pluralistic New Jersey community and give back as well.

 

One of the main results of our Jewish identity efforts in Ra’anana was to introduce a Jewish studies curricula into the school that carries our name, the MetroWest High School (MWHS). Over the years MWHS became a national leader in proving there is no conflict in enhancing Jewish studies in a public, secular school.

 

This year the school is celebrating its 20th anniversary. As a birthday gift, a generous family from our community, the Flatows from West Orange, decided to build a Beit Midrash (study hall) on the school’s premises.

 

Construction of the Alisa Flatow Beit Midrash in the MetroWest High School
Construction of the Alisa Flatow Beit Midrash in the MetroWest High School
The Israeli Beit Midrash in MWHS is named after the Flatow’s beloved daughter, Alisa, (z’l), who was murdered in a terror attack in Israel. The walls will commemorate her memory together with five graduates of the school who were killed during their IDF military service. This is yet another symbolic reflection of our Jewish connection and destiny.

 

This one-of-a-kind endeavor is a vivid reflection of the concept: Israelis are thirsty for Jewish tradition. If it is introduced to them in an inclusive, tolerant way, it will prevail. Ironically, the Diaspora community of MetroWest can perform this mitzvah best.

 

Another example is the Ra’anan Reform congregation in town, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Murray Laulicht, a past Federation president and an Orthodox leader, recalls: “Our efforts on behalf of the congregation began shortly after we established a relationship with Ra’anana in the early 90s.

 

For a very long time the city refused to provide them with land, like they did for the many Orthodox congregations in town. Max (Kleinman, the Federation executive and a Conservative Jew), Jerry Waldor, (z’l), a past president and a Reform Jew) and I were finally able to get a piece of property for Ra’anan.

 

As one of our first Religious Pluralism projects, MetroWest then provided seed money for the congregation to develop architectural plans. Ten years ago, Jerry and I were finally able to affix the mezuzah on the newly built synagogue and community center. This was truly one of our proudest moments. I only pray that our efforts for Klal Yisrael will continue to bear fruit for many years into the future”.

 

The New Jersey connection during the Ra’anan 10th anniversary.
The New Jersey connection during the Ra’anan 10th anniversary. From right to left: Rabbi Amy Small, Temple Hatikvah, Summit; Rabbi Danny Alan, South Orange, former director of Arza; Michal Zur, former shlicha (emissary) and program director for MetroWest Israel; Rabbi Tamar Kolber, Ra’anan; Henry and Susan Samueli, supporters of the center; Benni Hendel, a former New Jersey shaliach and event emcee; Amir Shacham, a former MetroWest shaliach and Israel director; Yael Gal Or, a former MetroWest shlicha and program director of the Ra’anan congregation.
During the anniversary ceremony on June 30, attended by many distinguished guests from all over the world, I shared the passion of our community of increasing Jewish identity among Israelis. I told the crowd that in a few hours’ time we were going to formally merge with Central NJ to become even greater and stronger: the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. I also emphasized the fact that in the room were four former shlichim (emissaries) and two rabbis from our community, symbolizing the living bridges built between us.

 

I am sure that we will continue to be a leading community in this realm of activity for the long haul. After all, our sages taught us that collecting mitzvot is a lifelong job and the 10 days of repentance are only a current account.

 

Shana Tova, Gmar Hatima Tova, and Drishat Shalom,

 





Amir

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