An appeal by Rabbis for Human Rights Co-chairs Rabbi Amy Klein, and Rabbi Moshe Yehudai, and Rabbi Arik Ascherman, president and senior rabbi for RHR, on the upcoming High Holidays.
Selichot prayer leaf (c. 8th-9th century) discovered in the famous Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, Gansu province, China in 1908 by Paul Pelliot. CC-Wikipedia, public domain
A High Holy Days midrash tells of a prince who runs away after an argument with his parents. After many years, scouts of the anguished king and queen find their son, now a peasant in a far corner of the kingdom. He says that he has forgotten how to be a prince, and lacks the strength to even try and make the journey home. The king and queen send a message, “Come as far as you can, and we will meet you.” At this time of year we remember that there are forces from within and without that come together to help us reach seemingly impossible goals, when we do what we can.
A year ago at this time, the Begin/Prawer bill, threatening to destroy tens of villages and dispossess Israeli Bedouin citizens of their lands, seemed like an unstoppable juggernaut. RHR helped put that bill in deep freeze. We remain worried about signs that the government intends to implement the Begin/Prawer plan without legislation. Nevertheless, with the backing of much of North American and British Jewry, we are in constant contact with Minister Shamir’s office, pressing him to enter into genuine negotiation with the authentic Bedouin leadership.
Last November the government appointed the Alaluf committee to recommend steps to combat Israeli poverty. Everyone ignored this committee because it was a foregone conclusion that it would recommend policies further absolving the government of responsibility for Israel’s poor. Everybody, except RHR’s Rabbi Idit Lev. As a result of Rabbi Lev’s initially singlehanded efforts, the committee reversed itself and made decent recommendations. Other organizations were inspired by our success, enabling RHR to broaden its coalition fighting for policies that bring dignity and justice to Israel’s poor. A year ago public housing was a forgotten subject. Today it is the talk of the Knesset.
People often ask how it is that we are allowed to teach courses in pre-army academies and bring the participants on human rights field tours. Well, we do it for over 600 young Israelis between high school and their army service. This year the army itself will teach our Tractate Independence.
Most believed that our High Court petition to end discriminatory zoning and planning leading to Palestinian home demolitions was going through the motions. We don’t know what the final ruling will be, but on April 28th the High Court made it resoundingly clear that the current situation of planning without public input is unacceptable and demanded that the State come up with an alternative.
Will you help us to succeed in the coming year? We need the most generous financial and moral support you can offer, whether $1800, $180 or $18. The words of our enclosed annual Yom Kippur vidui (confession) can be mere words, or they can spur us all to action. And when you enable us to make our very best effort, you are part of the enclosed Sukkot celebration (assif) of our accomplishments of the past year.
In the aftermath of the Gaza war, many believe that no lessons will be learned, there will be no soul searching, and the next war is just a matter of time. We don’t accept that as inevitable, and intend to see where God meets us when we make our very best effort.
What were the sources of our inner and outer strength that led us to accomplishments few would have dared predict a year ago? Faith, partners, God, and you, our donors and supporters!
Full versions of the vidui and assif will be posted on our website and Facebook. We will also be posting beautiful camera ready ushpizin posters with original artwork, so that you can invite into your Sukkah those who lack a roof over their heads all year round.
If you do not receive e-mails from RHR, please send your e-mail address to info@rhr.israel.net. Please also contact us if you would like to receive our weekly human rights dvar Torah. Rabbi Ascherman will be speaking in North America in November 2014 and in May 2015. Please contact Sara Zur at rhr.sara@gmail.com, if you are interested in attending an event, hosting Rabbi Ascherman or hosting another RHR speaker. We also arrange lectures and tours for both groups and individuals visiting Israel.
The last line of the RHR vidui reads:
And for the sin which we have sinned against You by thinking to ourselves and whispering in closed rooms—That which we should have cried out loud, raising our voices as a shofar.
May we do our part so that we and all humanity will be inscribed in the Book of Life,
L’Shana Tova,
The post “Come as Far as you Can”: RHR’s High Holiday Appeal appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.