The Jewish People have undergone substantial changes since the enactment of the "Who is a Jew" amendment to the Law of Return in 1970. Back then, the rich Reform Jewry around the world was a strong force supporting a poor, secular Jewish state to stand on its own feet not longer after its founding.
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Over the years, the situation changed: Israel became the big – and in many cases, the religious – sibling that serves as the means with which Diaspora Jews could preserve their Jewish Identity. Birthright Israel programs and consistent surveys have proved this scientifically.
At the same time, an internal –and no less dramatic – transformation has taken place within US Jewry. The Reform and Conservative movements have seen their presence dwindle. Temples have closed down one after another; the rate of assimilation has reached 80% and more; and many young members are joining anti-Israel student movements as well as boycotting efforts.
On the other hand, Orthodox Jewry, which was a leaf blowing in the wind in those decades, has grown and strengthened at a dizzying pace. Its members have entered the synagogues that have been abandoned by other movements. Yeshivas are opening and growing, and even new religious cities have been born.
These historical turnarounds within the Jewish people have also fundamentally changed the balance of power within these sectors. If in the past, the Orthodox movements were worried about disappearing – today this concern is unfounded; they have been triumphant. If the Diaspora was the one propping up young Israel – today it is Israel that has to take care of them. Without Israel, Jews around the world are lost. And they know it.
The new Knesset members, as well as religious-Zionist leaders, must acknowledge this situation and keep it in mind at all times. Both in their words and actions, they must consider the fact that the Twitter bird will take their voices and steps far over the sea.
If Itamar Ben-Gvir and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef slam the door in the face of world Jewry – it will stop coming. Is this the "love of fellow Jews" that they believe in? Is it correct to give up on millions of Jews, just because they have wandered off the path? The answer, of course, is "no."
Anyone with a beating Jewish heart is duty-bound to do everything they can to build that bridge to our brethren in the Diaspora, whatever religious path they follow. Just as Ben-Gvir, or Rabbi Yosef, or any other religious leader, believe that one should be bringing irreligious Jews in Israel closer to their source, so they should be doing the same with world Jewry. And, by the way, if they get to know Jews from other streams, they might just discover that there is not a big difference between the traditional Jews here in Israel and those around the world. The Reform movement has only wrapped traditions with ideology – no more.
In any event, instead of raising ideas that harm and distance those who are already far away, the Israeli leadership must extend its hand, to quote Hillel the Elder, and "To be like the students of Aaron, loving others and bringing them closer to Torah," in this order. First love them, then bring them closer.
True, we have to stand up for Torah. We obviously cannot distort Jewish Law just because the Reform leaders are demanding this. But, even when keeping to every iota of Halachah, one can be friendly and show a smiling face.
On the new map of political power between the Jewish People in Zion and those in the Diaspora, Jews in Israel, and mainly those in power, have the obligation to be welcoming to their brethren in the Diaspora. This is what Hillel's ruling was set for.
If the Diaspora has ever held up the young Jewish state – now it is up to Israel to take this responsibility on itself.
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