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Over the past two weeks, I have travelled to campuses with members of the UJS Team in order to help J-Soc committees put on Friday night dinners during the exam-period.
Whilst you are reading my blog and being distracted from revision, I wanted to share with you the thoughts I expressed in Leeds last Friday night. That week, Israel had celebrated Yom Yerushaliyim, the anniversary of the liberation and unification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty during the Six Day War (1967).
Discussions about Jerusalem are often dominated by issues that arouse conflict; building in East Jerusalem, archaeological digs in the Old City and the rights of non-Orthodox Jews to pray at the Kotel. Whilst I am tempted to add to the discourse of all three it would detract from the central messages of Yom Yerushaliyim – the unity of the Jewish people and Jerusalem as a symbol of Jewish resilience.
On unity, we must remember that it was sinat chinam (baseless hatred between Jews) that was the main causal factor for the destruction of the Second Temple. However, this painful memory does not mean that unity has to mean uniformity on these issues. We must ask ourselves: How can we reconcile our divergent views and resolve seemingly intractable conflict, without destroying our unity? Looking to Nir Birkat, Mayor of Jerusalem, or Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s PM, is not the answer.
The Talmud says Jerusalem was named by God in two parts: Yira, which means "to see," and shalem, which means "peace.” I have no doubt that most Jews endorse this wholeheartedly but we differ on how to get there and at what cost. When we say a common citation on Yom Yerushalayim from Psalm 122:4, Ir shehubrah lah yahdaiv, "[Jerusalem is] a city that is compact together" or "a city uniting all", but how many of us have considered who this includes?
On resilience, after 2,000 years the modern Jewish State has sovereignty over Jerusalem. As King David made clear when he said: "If I forget you Jerusalem, let my right hand lose its cunning,” our strength as a people is inextricably linked to Jerusalem. The city has been destroyed and re-built nine times, which only serves to emphasise its fragility. What will it take for us to ensure that the ninth time will be the last time?
Last week’s Torah portion spoke of the census of the Israelites at Mount Sinai. To work out the total numbers every person gave ½ Shekel. In Leeds, I used this as the opportunity to promote sponsorship for my 10K run in London with all proceeds going to J-Soc. Just as the Israelites donated ½ Shekel, I hope every Jewish student can donate the price of a pint of beer or glass of wine. That way we will solve two questions: First, how many Jewish students are there, and second, how can UJS continue to support J-Soc activities despite a fall in fundraising income.
£3 per person, should equal £24,000. Richard and I expect nothing less!
