From Liberal Jewish Thought to Liberal Jewish Action
Jul 4, 2023
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From liberal Jewish thought to action, Orly and Rick discuss liberal values in politics for Jews in Israel and North America. Topics include advocacy for a pluralistic Israel, navigating diverse viewpoints, Israel-North America relations, social justice issues, collaboration across denominations, compassion, and transforming hate into blessings.
Liberal Jewish values lead to political action for social justice causes.
Building alliances across denominations is crucial for shaping Israeli policy.
Engaging with diverse Jewish communities is essential for promoting pluralism and unity.
Deep dives
Standing together for common values
In the podcast episode, Alana Steinhane and Oerli Ariz-Lakhavsky discuss how they work together on issues such as fighting gender segregation, religious pluralism, and other social justice causes. They emphasize that their cooperation goes beyond denominational lines and is based on a shared commitment to liberal values and moderate principles. They highlight the importance of finding common ground and working together, even if there are disagreements on certain issues.
Building alliances across diverse communities
Both speakers emphasize the significance of building alliances and coalitions with various organizations and individuals who share their values. They point out that the fight for a more democratic and pluralistic Israel involves collaboration with different sectors of society, including both religious and secular Jews. They also mention that recent events and protests have united people from different backgrounds and beliefs, showing that shared values can bring diverse groups together for a common cause.
Challenges and opportunities in Israeli society
The speakers acknowledge the challenges and divisions within Israeli society, particularly regarding religion and politics, but they also highlight the opportunities for change and progress. They discuss how Israeli public opinion is evolving, with more people supporting issues such as women's rights, religious pluralism, LGBTQ rights, and democracy. They stress the importance of leveraging public opinion to bring about positive change and challenge extremist views and practices.
Reimagining Jewish peoplehood
The speakers explore the concept of Jewish peoplehood and how it can be reimagined in the context of diverse Jewish communities. They emphasize the need for open dialogue and understanding across denominational lines and the importance of finding common ground on issues that unite Jews globally, such as combating anti-Semitism and standing up for Jewish values. They also encourage active engagement with Israel, recognizing that connections to the Jewish state go beyond political affiliations and are rooted in shared history, heritage, and culture.
Focus on Teaching Pluralism and Building Bridges
The podcast episode highlights the importance of teaching pluralism in Israeli schools and promoting understanding and tolerance among different Jewish communities. The speakers emphasize the need for Israelis, regardless of their religious affiliation, to have the tools necessary for embracing pluralism. They discuss the lack of a commonly used Hebrew term for pluralism and attribute it to the insufficient practice of pluralism in the country. The episode also touches upon the significance of building bridges between different Jewish communities, particularly addressing the concerns of the Haredi community in New York. The speakers emphasize the need for the liberal Jewish community to take a greater interest in issues affecting the Haredi community, such as the lack of education and women's rights, and support their efforts for change.
Expanding Perspectives on Israel and Jewish Identity
The podcast episode delves into the challenges and shifts in perspectives on Israel and Jewish identity, particularly among young progressive Jews. The speakers discuss how the younger generation may have different experiences and views of Israel, considering the changing dynamics and the complexities of the Jewish state. They stress the importance of engaging with young Jews on their terms, fostering an authentic relationship with Israel, and creating spaces where they can explore and discuss the harder aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, the speakers encourage a broader understanding of pro-Israel sentiment, advocating that it does not necessarily align with a particular political or ideological stance. They view the current moment as an opportunity to bring together diverse voices and build bridges between different Jewish communities.
Political ideas are often steeped in religious values. In some communities, political action may even be seen as a religious responsibility. In this episode, adapted from a conversation recorded before a live audience during our annual Community Leadership Program at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, guest host Elana Stein Hain (Rosh Beit Midrash at Hartman) spoke with Orly Erez-Likhovski (Director of the Israel Religious Action Center) and Rabbi Rick Jacobs (President of the Union for Reform Judaism) about how liberal values translate into political action, both for Jews in Israel and in North America. As representatives of the Reform movement in Israel and North America, Orly and Rick share their experiences working across denominations and continents to shape Israeli policy and unify Jewish communities.
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