Dear JCOGS family,
Every day as your rabbi, I appreciate the incredible diversity that is our JCOGS membership, including on issues related to Israelis and Palestinians. All of this is shared with abundant humility, and towards building up community here in north-central Vermont, with deep care and connection to Israel.
You have likely heard that Ben and Jerry’s ice cream company, of parent company Unilever, recently made the following statement: “We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).” You can read the full statement here. As one of the synagogues in closest proximity to where Ben and Jerry’s started its first plant, this global issue has become local.
There are numerous perspectives on this issue. On the one hand, the statement by Ben and Jerry’s is seen by many as problematic for multiple reasons, but primarily because of an association with a wider movement called Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS), which has been known to isolate the State of Israel and often delegitimizing its existence, simplifying a conflict that is complex by placing the sole responsibility on Israel. On the other hand, there are those who claim that Ben and Jerry’s is not aligning with the BDS movement because their boycott of sales is only within the West Bank, stating this is a critique of the State of Israel’s policies, not of Israel’s existence. You can read Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield’s own opinion on the matter. And of course there are many other opinions, too, and you may have your own.
Local rabbis have been asked to share that the Jewish Communities of Vermont (JCVT) is holding an “awareness raising rally for peace and social justice” this Sunday at 11 a.m. in the parking lot at Ben and Jerry’s (with the ice cream company’s permission). You can read more about the rally and JCVT’s thoughts here and here from their website. Some members of our community have been involved in the organizing of this rally. (Please note, the JCOGS board must vet all non-rabbinic Israel programs promoted by JCOGS. Organized within days of the event, this has not been vetted).
With Shabbat soon upon us, let me end with the last line of our Prayer for Israel: “May the time be near when all its inhabitants and neighbors dwell together in security and everlasting peace, and let us say: Amen.”
Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David
