Dear JCOGS family,
As I write, the State of Israel is in one of the most tumultuous times of its short history, which is saying a lot for a country often plagued by war and terror. As we stand weeks from Israel’s 75th birthday, folks across the political spectrum are saying that Israel may be on the brink of “an abyss,” a “critical”, "dramatic”, “historic moment”, and so on.
In brief, the current coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attempted to put forth substantive legislative reforms to the judicial system, including the option for a simple majority in the legislature to overturn Israel’s Supreme Court decisions. In response, a large swath of the Israeli population in the hundreds of thousands has taken to the streets in protest to these potential sweeping legislative changes. As of earlier this week, the prime minister slowed down the process in response to the protests, G-d willing, towards dialogue, as the formal legislative session pauses its work for Passover through Israeli Independence Day, while opposing delegations meet with each other with the guidance of President Isaac Herzog. A more comprehensive update can be found here.
After five months of learning together, a cohort of JCOGS members wrapped up study about ethics with the Shalom Hartman Institute’s curriculum Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism. The final classes focused on moral imperatives, impervious ethical standards which we ought to refuse to budge on principle, and moral concerns, ethics that can be compromised on, based on circumstance or other competing values or pragmatics. We explored questions such as: What morals and values do you hold most dear that they should always be defended? Which morals can be compromised on? The famous scholar Isaiah Berlin argued that “compromises, trade-offs, arrangements have to be made if the worst is not to happen.”
What values will be upheld in Israel? Which areas might Israel and its people find compromise or consensus? Will Israel avert a worst-case scenario?
From what I have read, it seems that much of Israeli society agrees that some judicial reform is needed in Israel. Yet, to protesters, the current government went too far, too fast, attempting to undo the balance of power in government. For some, the protests do not go far enough to reflect the values of all of Israel's citizens. While in the past, protests in Israel have mostly been from those further on the margins of the centre, this month’s protests have included major leaders from within the military and air force, high-tech, universities, religious communities, medical professionals, bankers, labor unions, and even settlements.
I, personally, am inspired by the protesters. When I think of the State of Israel that I love, my moral imperative includes a strong, vibrant democracy, one with the people’s voices being heard, and with checks and balances that can withstand a majority’s inclination to neglect or oppress its minorities. As one of our members pointed out with hope, this current moment in Israeli history is democracy at its best, as demonstrations featured non-violent means to achieve their moral imperatives. This week, I was especially moved by pictures and videos of a spectrum of secular and religious Jewish Israelis on the streets coming together, showing up for a vibrant democracy.
On this side of the world, major mainstream North American Jewish organizations have taken a strong stand as the Jewish Federations of North America, the Conference of Presidents, the Anti-Defamation League, and the American Jewish Committee released this statement:
“We welcome the Israeli government’s suspension of legislative consideration of judicial reform measures. The last three months have been painful to watch and yet a textbook case of democracy in action. We respect the political leaders, business executives, community activists, cultural figures, and ordinary Israelis who took to the streets, exercising their love of country, and their passion for democracy. As a next step, we encourage all Knesset factions, coalition and opposition alike, to use this time to build a consensus that includes the broad support of Israeli civil society. Israel’s political leaders must insist on a more respectful tone and debate. A hallmark of democracy is public consensus and mutual consideration.”
As a Jewish leader, I know well how building consensus is not a simple task and I also appreciate the complexities of judicial reform in Israel. And I understand and recognize the wide range of political orientations in our own congregation, including on this topic.
Still, in Israel and here, we need not compromise on the fundamental principles we hold dear, including democracy. There are moral imperatives that ought to prevail. And I also pray that the leaders and ordinary people of Israel will find their way respectfully towards some compromise that centres public consensus and policy for the betterment of Israeli society and, thus, for all of us. Anything less may tear apart the Israel of the past 75 years.
As we enter Shabbat, with our prayers pointed towards Jerusalem, what are your prayers for this current time? What are the values and principles that you hope will guide Israel into the future? And to reflect more broadly, what, in your life, are the moral imperatives and concerns that you hold most dear?
Tihiyu bri’im, may you be healthy. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David
