'How can we expect others to empathize with us when we fail to empathize with Palestinians?'
Jan 9, 2024
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Rabbi Sharon Brous, progressive Judaism's leading voice, discusses the need for empathy towards Palestinians and the tension between tribalism and universal understanding. She reflects on her controversial Yom Kippur sermon and the changing responsibilities of clergy. Brous emphasizes the importance of supporting vulnerable communities and being allies to one another.
Rabbi Sharon Brous emphasizes the need for Jews to empathize with the suffering of Palestinians and work towards a shared future of justice and coexistence.
Rabbi Brous calls for vigilance in distinguishing between genuine fight against anti-Semitism and its misappropriation as a tool to undermine other causes or ideologies.
Deep dives
Rabbi Sharon Broust: A Prominent Progressive Rabbi and the State of Jewish Life
Rabbi Sharon Broust has emerged as a highly influential and prominent figure in American progressive Judaism. Founder of the Ikar Congregation in Los Angeles, Rabbi Broust is known for her innovative religious practices and commitment to social justice. She has been recognized for her leadership, appearing on numerous influential lists and even gaining recognition from President Barack Obama. In her upcoming book, 'The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World,' Rabbi Broust explores the need for healing and support during times of collective pain. This message takes on new significance in light of recent tragedies and personal loss in her own life. With a focus on inclusivity and allyship, Rabbi Broust emphasizes the importance of standing together in times of vulnerability, acknowledging our interconnectedness as human beings.
Navigating the Challenges of Speaking Up Against Anti-Semitism
Rabbi Broust reflects on the difficulty of addressing and confronting anti-Semitism, particularly when it emerges from unexpected sources. She recognizes the importance of challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about Jews, often choosing to engage in difficult conversations in order to promote understanding. However, she has also witnessed a concerning trend where some allies who claim to fight for justice overlook or downplay anti-Semitism. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of previous approaches and the need to be more discerning in partnering with other advocacy groups. Rabbi Broust acknowledges that anti-Semitism remains a complex issue and calls for vigilance in distinguishing between genuine fight against anti-Semitism and its misappropriation as a tool to undermine other causes or ideologies.
The Impact of Anti-Semitism on College Campuses and Educational Institutions
Rabbi Broust describes the distressing experiences of Jewish students on college campuses, particularly in the wake of recent events and increased tensions. She highlights the alarming display of vocal and explicit anti-Semitism by professors who supported Hamas and condemned Israeli actions. Rabbi Broust raises concerns about universities failing to promptly condemn such rhetoric, thereby allowing extreme voices to dominate the discourse. She stresses the urgency for educational institutions to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students, acknowledging the challenges in reversing the damage caused and reestablishing a culture of intellectual curiosity, empathy, and dialogue. While recognizing the need for a supportive community during times of grief, she also encourages a broader perspective that extends beyond tribal identity, encouraging Jews to empathize with the suffering of Palestinians and work towards a shared future of justice and coexistence.
Embracing Humanity and Rebuilding Connections in Times of Sorrow
Rabbi Broust navigates the delicate balance between tribal identity and universalism, especially after experiencing collective grief and tragedy. She emphasizes the importance of embracing and supporting one another during times of mourning, highlighting the need to find solace within our closest communities. However, she also emphasizes the eventual shift towards a broader understanding and compassion for others' suffering. Recognizing the interconnectedness of Jewish and Palestinian experiences, Rabbi Broust encourages the Jewish community to empathize with the pain and yearning for self-determination felt by Palestinians. She challenges the idea that supporting one's own community is mutually exclusive from advocating for the dignity and rights of others. In her view, both tribal identity and universalism have their place, with the ultimate goal being a world where all people can live in dignity and freedom.
Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder of the IKAR synagogue in Los Angeles, has been progressive Judaism's leading voice over the past decade speaking out for equality and human rights, as well as the rabbinic figure of choice for the Biden-Harris White House.
Author of the new book "The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World," Brous told Haaretz Podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer that her world changed since October 7 and that, among other realizations, she reached the "painful awareness" that some of her allies on the left still "don't see Jews in that utopian anti-racist society that we have been dreaming about together."
Brous, whose new book focuses on Jewish mourning rituals, said it is understandable that even Jews on the progressive left are currently enmeshed in tribal grief as the war rages on. Her own congregation in Los Angeles includes families of those murdered and kidnapped by Hamas.
Still, she said, "Each of us, in our own way, has to find when we're ready to step out of our shiva, and see that there is a world of human suffering that is happening just over the border."
