…but you can’t take Israel out of the (Oy Va) Goy. Here is my latest column for Jewish News:
I recently returned from a 10-day, all-expenses paid trip to Israel. I was treated like royalty throughout, and interviewed by countless Israeli television channels and newspapers. I returned with a relaxed, warm glow, a cracking sun tan and an army of new blog readers from the Promised Land. I sense you’re not exactly bursting with sympathy.
The trip, called Once In A Lifetime, brought four bloggers from round the world to visit Israel on an all-expenses-paid visit. I was one of the four, joining two American bloggers and one from China. The venture was the brainchild of a group of 24 students from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. All are members of Stand With Us, the international organisation which educates the world about Israel.
It was inspiring to be part of this trip and to witness the genius of those who had taken the idea from a mere concept to a magical reality. It’s amazing what you can achieve if you act on an impulse. People in Britain often criticise Israel’s PR efforts, but it’s so easy to criticise from your armchair. Few of these critics are doing anything constructive themselves.
Indeed, the disappointment felt in Israel about the meekness of Brits is palpable. I too have tired of those here who talk the talk when it comes to defending Israel, but never walk the walk. Even worse, many don’t even do the talking part.
The Once In A Lifetime trip was a marvellous contribution to the hasbara effort. Over the 10 days we saw the social, cultural, religious and political highlights of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We met with fascinating people including MKs Zeev Bielski and Anastassia Michaeli, IDF spokeswoman Avital Leibovich, and the extraordinary Abu Gosh monk Brother Olivier.
“Our goal is to create a better understanding of what Israel is all about – culture, night life, cuisine, music, history and the delicate fabric of life here,” Shiri Cohen, one of the organisers explained. They succeeded. They also gave us a wonderful trip. From floating in the Dead Sea to partying in Tel Aviv and planting trees in Jerusalem, we had a ball. We also volunteered at the Mahane Yehuda market, hiked the Judean Hills and drove electric cars, which Israel is at the forefront of developing.
The picture of Israel that emerged even surprised me, a longstanding and informed fan of the Jewish state. Among the new things I learned is that while the contrast between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is undoubtedly profound, the two cities have more in common socially than many outside Israel believe. If you know where to look you can find a social scene in the capital that rivals anything Tel Aviv has to offer.
On a personal note it was the religious parts of the trip which moved me most. From my poignant hour at the Kotel, to a Friday night synagogue visit and my conversations with Chabadniks and Breslovs, I had amazing experiences. Indeed, the only downside to the trip was the widespread negativity I encountered among ordinary Israelis towards the more religious Jews who live there.
I am well aware of the controversies surrounding the Haredim in Israel, and the reasons for those controversies. But I feel the criticism has become unjustifiably harsh. Besides, Israel is a country full of miracles and these are not occurring coincidentally. We should be nicer to those who do all that praying.
And let’s also take our hats off to Stand With Us for arranging this trip. As MK Bielski said, us four bloggers should be considered pioneers for many similar ventures in the future. I hope those with deep pockets can help with funding.
One of the most profound experiences I had in Israel was meeting with Noam Shalit, father of Gilad. I will write about that meeting in my next column.
This was a great idea and clearly a big success. Israelis and other Jews have begun to understand the power of the internet in the PR war for Israel.
Chas, your comment of, “And let’s also take our hats off to Stand With Us for arranging this trip”, surprised me especially after you just returned from Israel. What would the Habadniks and Breslovers say. I suspect they would say,”Keep your kippa on”.
Hi Chas, glad you had a good trip. Forgive me for taking exception to something you wrote about “ordinary Israelis” as opposed to the more religious. The Jewish religion in Israel is something very much misunderstood in the west. Firstly there are many ways of being Torah observant, it’s not just the hareidim who are that way. Also there is a large percentage of the population who whilst do not define themselves as Torah observant, nevertheless, speak the language of faith and keep shabbat, kashrut and other mitzvot. You may see someone who is outwardly secular, but that person may very well keep shabbat, kashrut, and pray with a minyan. In fact, the number of fervently secular Israelis is a minority. This came out in a national survey not long ago.
Hello Chas
I’m very happy that you had a first hand experience what is Israel all about.
I was not aware of this program initiated by Stand with Us. Kudos to them
Being a blogger from the UK, how would you advise the Israeli public to deal with the outrageous reporting coming out of G.B. by British media about issues concerning Israel.
Following is only one example: http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelinews/editorial/editors-choice/861-the-guardians-crusade-against-israel-is-simply-relentless.html
There are plenty of the same out there. BBC leads the pack.
Would appreciate your views.
Hi Chas – Glad you had a great trip! Next time come north! I’m afraid your respondents are correct about the Haredim. Not only do they wield an unreasaonable amount of political authority in proportion to their number(s) but, willy nilly, they break up families with careless abandon. I’m not going to tell you here how I know!
Natalie
I cannot let that comment pass.
FromIsrael said: “there are many ways of being Torah observant, it’s not just the hareidim who are that way” – that’s indeed a fair point, however I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say: “I’m afraid your respondents are correct about the Haredim” – FromIsrael’s point was not about the Charedim, rather it was to point out that just because some Israelis may not outwardly look religious, don’t assume that they don’t perform mitzvot – as I said, a true and fair point.
When you say: “willy nilly, they (Charedim) break up families with careless abandon. I’m not going to tell you here how I know!”, it sounds like you have had an experience where you perceive that somebody’s Charedi outlook/action has caused the break up of a family. As you said, you’re not going to tell us how you know, however I don’t think it would be so relevant either.(Please don’t come back and tell us that you know of lot’s of cases but you’re not going to tell us how!)
I’m not going to say that Charedim or Charedi society is perfect – we are people and people are fallible. However, much in the same way as we “Israel supporters” feel that a great deal of the criticism aimed at us is unfair and unbalanced, so too do Charedim feel that we do not get a fair crack of the whip (I consider myself a member of both categories).
It looks like Chas has picked up these vibes on his trip –
“the only downside to the trip was the widespread negativity I encountered among ordinary Israelis towards the more religious Jews who live there”
I wish you and all of Chas’s readers a sweet and happy new year
I was, of course, making a sweeping remark to make a specific point. I believe, like the other respondent, that there a million ways to be a good Jew – none of them needs to have even a fleck of ritual attached.
But seeing as I’ve caused offence, I see that not only has my point scored a bull’s-eye, it means that I’ll have another “al chait” to add to my burgeoning list come Yom Kippur. S’licha!!
Sorry to be a stickler, but I can’t let that one pass either!
You said: “I believe, like the other respondent, that there a million ways to be a good Jew – none of them needs to have even a fleck of ritual attached. ”
That may be a belief of yours, however there’s no inkling in FromIsrael’s comment of this view. His/her comment was: “there is a large percentage of the population who whilst do not define themselves as Torah observant, nevertheless, speak the language of faith and keep shabbat, kashrut and other mitzvot. You may see someone who is outwardly secular, but that person may very well keep shabbat, kashrut, and pray with a minyan”. All that means is that one cannot superficially conclude that just because a person may look totally secular (i.e. no outward signs of religious beliefs or practices), that he is indeed totally secular (has no religious beliefs or practices). IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT ONE CAN BE A GOOD JEW LIVING ONE’S LIFE WITHOUT “EVEN A FLECK OF RITUAL ATTACHED” AS YOU SUGGEST.
On a personal level, I can assure you that you haven’t caused offence (and I hope that I am not causing personal offence either as my Al Chait list looks pretty healthy/unhealthy!)
In our search for truth, may we all merit Hashem’s forgiveness and look forward to a happy, healthy, productive year in his service.
Hi again. Neither can I resist a retort: I refuse to refer to the Almighty as though he were a Jewish Mafia boss and more important here – I don’t hide behind a pseudonym. Shana Tova.
Natalie Wood.
Just to clarify, my comment about the Haredim was well-informed. I’ve discussed the issues between the Haredim and other sectors of Israeli society with people from all sides. I’ve read quite a few books about the controversy as well.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but I wanted to make clear that I am making my judgement with all the evidence and after much consideration.