4 minute read
Lost and Found in Translation by Rafi Sackville 7
Dear Readers,
Istill remember where I was when Rabbi Pesach Lerner called me last year about the Eretz Hakodesh slate at the World Zionist Congress.
It was a busy day, but I made sure to really listen to what he had to say. If Rabbi Lerner was concerned about what was happening at the World Zionist Organization, then I knew that, as a frum Jew, I would be concerned too.
Rabbi Lerner takes on causes that are important for the Jewish community. His involvement with the Gush Katif community, his friendship with Jonathan Pollard, his work at Am Echad… these are all initiatives that Rabbi Lerner took on out of care and concern for his fellow Jews.
Eretz Hakodesh came from that same feeling of achrayus. When Rabbi Lerner saw that programs and funds stemming from the World Zionist Congress were being controlled by those on the liberal left who had an agenda that was the antithesis of our community’s mesorah, he knew that he could not sit idly by. Armed with brachos and support of gedolim and leaders in the community, Rabbi Lerner launched a slate at the World Zionist Organization for the American charedi community.
What started as a dream quickly swelled into a tsunami that made waves at last week’s virtual World Zionist Congress.
I was privileged to be among the 25 delegates on the Eretz Hakodesh slate this year. I use the word “privileged” because it was just that – an honor to represent the American charedi community at this forum. Although the event took place on Zoom (next year in Jerusalem!), I felt that I was able to effect change. I saw how other groups endeavored to promote their agenda, and I saw how important it was to speak up when something didn’t sit right with our values.
In the United States, we don’t acutely feel the liberal left’s agenda against our Torah values. But in Israel, the liberal left’s motive is clear: it is anti-Torah, it is anti-mesorah, it is against all that we stand for and hold dear. Eretz Hakodesh was established as a foil to these groups to move the needle back in the direction of our holy tradition.
The Israeli media’s headlines screamed about a “hostile takeover” by the right at the WZO. But that was not the case. What I saw at the Congress was democracy at its finest. I saw a group that earned its delegates and its right to sit at the table; a group that was energized for change; a group that helped to tilt the equilibrium from falling to the left.
Although I have not met the other Eretz Hakodesh delegates personally due to the pandemic, I feel as if I know them. Our WhatsApp chat is the most active chat I have on my phone. Every day, there are scores of messages on the chat. There’s a vigorous back-and-forth on how we should approach things, on what we should take on, on whom we should be aligning ourselves with. Eretz Hakodesh delegates are vibrant, informed, enthused individuals.
Last Sunday, I joined a Zoom meeting as a member of the Vaad Hapoel, the Zionist General Council.
First and foremost, it was refreshing to be at a conference with Jews from all over the world. Private conversations were held between friends in all languages in front of all the attendees. I felt like I was at a party with everyone speaking over each other all at once. But then, when things settled down, I realized why it was so important to have charedim sitting at the table.
When agendas are proposed and committees are formed and funds are distributed, if we are not there to speak up for our causes, who will?
If we are not there to speak up about certain issues, who will?
If we are not there to ensure that the liberal left’s anti-Torah agenda doesn’t prevail, who will?
Eretz Hakodesh was created to uphold our mesorah and defend our values. It has already effected change – and I am honored to be part of it. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
Weekly Weather | November 6 – November 12
6 7 8 9
10 11 12
Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com Shoshana Soroka EDITOR editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com
Nate Davis Editorial Assistant
Nechama Wein Copy Editor Rachel Bergida Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production
Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics
P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857
Classified Deadline: Monday 5:00PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003
PAYMENT VIA CREDIT CARD MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH CLASSIFIED ADS
The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.
Shabbos Zemanim
Friday, November 6 Parshas Vayeira Candle Lighting: 4:27 pm Shabbos Ends: 5:27 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 5:57 pm
AM Clouds / PM Sun 64° 50°
Sunny
66° 50°
Mostly Sunny 65° 52°
Partly Cloudy 64° 57°
Partly Cloudy 65° 59°
Showers
65° 57°
AM Showers
