Rabbi Eleanor Steinman

I’m still taking all that has happened since Monday in.  The loss of life is tragic.  Israel has a right to protect her borders.  Her soldiers were acting according to maritime law, however they were walking into a publicity trap.  The more information emerges, the more complicated.

There were three interesting op-eds in the New York Times today.   Michael Oren, Rabbi Daniel Gordis, and Nick Kristof all have things to say.

The following is from ARZA.

ARZA Statement on the Gaza Flotilla Incident
June 1, 2010

On May 31, the day when Americans paused to remember those who have fallen in battle, we woke to the difficult news that early that morning Israeli commandos had stopped six ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to Gaza. Five of the ships calmly complied with the stoppage. The sixth ship did not. It was on this sixth vessel, the Turkish registered Mavi Marmara, where nine people were killed and dozens were wounded after IDF forces encountered unexpected resistance from civilians wielding knives, crow bars and small arms. Turkey’s NTV showed activists beating one Israeli soldier with sticks as he rappelled from a helicopter onto one of the boats. Another soldier was thrown from an upper deck of one of the ships and then stomped on by activists.

The Israeli military said troops only opened fire after the activists attacked them with knives and iron rods, and one activist wrested a serviceman’s weapon. Two of the dead activists had fired at soldiers with pistols, the army said. Organizers included people affiliated with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group that often sends international activists into battle zones, and the IHH, a Turkish aid group that Israel accuses of having terrorist links.

Though the flotilla was in international waters at the time of the attack, Israel has operated under an international law that allows a state, during a time of conflict, to enforce an embargo in international waters. Within this framework, it is legal for civilian ships to be stopped if they are trying to break the embargo.

It would appear that this entire enterprise was a cynical set-up designed to present Israel with an unnecessary Hobson’s choice and to generate anti-Israel publicity.

As so often happens after incidents such as this one, foreign governments were quick to condemn Israel for excessive use of force without full facts. Editorials in Israel note a mixed reaction to the Government’s action while still all affirming the right of sovereign self-defense. The government of Israel has responded that Israel has the right to blockade Gaza ports to prevent weapons from entering that area and that Israeli Navy personnel were prepared to deal with protesters, not people armed with knives, crowbars and other weapons.

ARZA expresses its sorrow at the loss of life and expresses the hope that all those injured will soon recover from their wounds. ARZA further expresses the hope that governments and individuals will not rush to judgment but will wait for all the facts to emerge before coming to any conclusion. As is so often the case when dealing with incidents that occur in a very unsettled part of the world, it is often difficult to ascertain the facts but very easy to jump to conclusions.

Our sacred task is to build an ever stronger progressive religious presence in Israel. Even when Israel is experiencing difficult moments like these, we must remain focused on creating facts on the ground. To the extent that ARZA can support IMPJ and IRAC, their work will enlarge the societal conversation on Judaism and the creation of a just, democratic, and Jewish Israel.

While waiting for a full report on what happened today, there are some facts that are already clear:

· The flotilla was organized by an Islamist organization that has links to fundamentalist jihadi groups.

· Israel offered from the first announcement of the flotilla that it or the Red Cross would deliver any humanitarian aid to Gaza, as it does daily.

· The extremists brought small children on board by persons hoping to provoke what could be a violent confrontation,

· The activists were carrying 10,000 tons of what they said was aid. Israel transfers about 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid every week to the people of Gaza.

· “We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us, they are going to have to forcefully stop us,” said one of the flotilla’s organizers.

· Using the Arabic term ‘intifada,’ Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said “We call on all Arabs and Muslims to rise up in front of Zionist embassies across the whole world.

· Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said this week: “If the ships reach Gaza it is a victory; if they are intercepted, it will be a victory too.

· Israel left Gaza in hopes of peace in 2005 and in return received more than 8,000 rockets and terrorist attacks.

· No country would allow illegal entry of any vessel into their waters without a security check.

Here are additional resources for further background on this issue:

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon’s press conference on the flotilla incident:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137785

An excellent appraisal of the flotilla crisis from Rabbi Daniel Gordis:

http://danielgordis.org/2010/05/31/facebook-meets-the-flotilla/

Israel Goes on High Alert in the Wake of Flotilla Incident:

http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=28979

MEMRI has posted clips of Gaza-Based Yemeni Professor Abd Al-Fatah Nu’man:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/27418.htm

IDF Met with Pre-Planned Violence When Boarding Ship:

http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/05/3101.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU12KW-XyZE&playnext_from=TL&videos=KoyKrtEKHmY&feature=sub

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon’s Statement: Activists Had Weapons:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3896588,00.html

Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement about the humanitarian situation in Gaza:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wlWcNXzstI

MFA legal expert Sarah Weiss Maudi explains why the flotilla was not allowed to dock at Gaza:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2W457Ot6qw&feature=channel

Legal Backgrounder on maritime law and other related issues, from MFA:

http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=221580

A fascinating Al-Jazeera report on the flotilla before they left that offers insight into who was on board. One says: “We are now waiting for one of two good things — either to achieve martyrdom or to reach Gaza:”

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2489.htm

Video of a “peace activist” stabbing an Israeli soldier as he boards the boat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buzOWKxN2co

Yesterday was the first day of Pri Adamah!  It was an incredible success if I do say so myself.  The produce available included: green garlic, green and purple onions, radishes, asparagus,  bok choy, spinach, salad greens, asian greens, peppermint, potatoes, apples, and rhubarb.

KO and I initially signed up to split a regular share and we quickly realized that we needed to upgrade to a large.  6.5 points per week were just not going to be enough!  Now we each have 9 points and feel more comfortable with the splitting option.

I didn’t get a chance to cook last night because I was working.  Tonight I’m so excited to make dinner. And I think an apple rhubarb crisp or something of that nature is in my future.

To the right is green garlic.  This is a vegetable I wasn’t previously familiar with before yesterday.  Thanks to the research of one of the Pri Adamah members, there are lots of recipes on the facebook group for this veggie.

As many of you know our minimum goal for memberships for Pri Adamah was 50.  We were aiming for this number by the middle of the season, but obviously wanted it as soon as possible.  Well we have 54 memberships and it has only been one week!

Hooray!

As I mentioned yesterday, DIVA and I are home to surprise my parents and we sure did!

Plans were in the works for over six weeks.  My mom asked me one time and I said I couldn’t get away and she believed me.  She was much more pestering of DIVA and still didn’t really believe she wasn’t going to be here up to the last possible moment.   The cutest story is that on Friday, my mom left work early to rest before Shabbat dinner and services.  My dad was outside doing yard work and apparently she walked around the house saying, “hello,” in a loud voice thinking DIVA at least was here.  My mom was also making my dad nuts asking him repeatedly if we were coming home (everyone knows better than to tell my dad a secret).  He became increasingly frustrated with her and finally told her to “get over it.”

Fast forward to the beautiful Shabbat dinner.  DIVA and I are hiding back stage.  They begin singing Shalom Aleichem, lighting candles and kiddush.  Then the rabbi asks, “where’s the challah?”  Jane thinks to herself, “if I had been allowed to do my job I definitely wouldn’t have forgotten a challah.”

DIVA and I open the door and I say, “we have a challah.”

This is followed by major tears and huge smiles.

As you saw yesterday I gave a sermon.  One of the rabbis introduced me and I didn’t have to say anything and my mom was already crying.  DIVA sang two trio pieces with the cantors and Lechi Lach as the sermon anthem.  My mom cried tears of joy the whole time.

Awesome surprise – check!

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I’ll be taking a few days off from blogging so I can enjoy my family time.

This is the d’var Torah I was asked to deliver on the occasion of my mom’s retirement.  There is a surprise involved and I’ll fill you all in on those details in another post.  Meanwhile, Shabbat Shalom.

Dear Mom,

Surprise!  It is an honor to be here tonight with Jessica in order to help this congregation honor you and your years of service as the Executive Director.  Even more than that though, it is an honor to have you as a mother; a woman who embodies the Jewish values she holds most dear.

Selfishly I have to say I’m pretty happy you’re retiring.  It’s about time you came to high holiday services when I lead them!   I have been generous sharing you and Dad with the congregation during those sacred days for seven years and I’m done with that.  No more reading my sermons, time to hear them live and in person.  Oh and if you wanted to cook a brisket or something for when we get home from services I would be okay with that, too.  I’m just saying.

Mom, it is said of Rab Yosef, that when he would hear the approaching step of his mother, he would say, “I must stand up, for the Shekhinah enters.”[1] Mom, as the Executive Director of this congregation, you too bring a kindness, a comforting presence, perhaps just like those attributes we attribute to God when we use the name Shekhinah.

You always inspired Jessica and I to be leaders and to use our own gifts to strengthen our communities.  I used to tease you that you were the last of the four of us to serve on Mount Zion’s Board of Trustees because dad as a member, and both Jessica and I were SPORTY president before heading off to college.  I once thought that I would be the first and only Jewish professional in our family and you proved me wrong when you took the position of Administrator here at temple when Jessica and I left home for university.

As I stand on this bima again, it seems kismet is at work. This Shabbat, 18 years ago we rushed to be in this very place for the Friday night service prior to celebrating my Bat Mitzvah.  That means that it is 18 years ago this congregation introduced the gender sensitive Gates of Prayer and the imahot into the Amidah.  Mom.  I get to stand here just like I did 18 years ago this very and teach something about Parshat Beha’alotecha which I read on my bat Mitzvah. I know we like to tell the story of my speech preparation that we learned “could be better.”  The section that I read was only about the Israelites complaining and wanting to return to Egypt where food choices varied.  I remember that I said the “manna was bitter, like coriander seed.”  And in all honestly, that is about all I remember.

Being a little older and wiser now, I couldn’t think of a better Torah portion to honor you and your role as Executive Director of this congregation.  Beha’alotecha reads like a job description, Mom!  If only we knew then what we know now.  Within this portion we read about specific details of the Sanctuary including how to light the lamps, leadership development and succession, the first temple picnics in the form of sacrifices, calendar planning, volunteer management, insurance, and complaining.

I know that members of Mount Zion hardly ever complain.  The sanctuary is always the right temperature, ample parking is available, the menu is to everyone’s liking, and everyone is always happy with printed materials they receive and the temperature of the coffee.  Similarly the Israelites miss the food in Egypt.  Varied produce, meat of all types is their cravings.  When Moses reaches his breaking point and can take no more complaining, he turns to God and says, “For-what have you dealt-ill with your servant, for-what-reason have I not found favor in your eyes, (that you) have placed the burden of this entire people on me? Did I myself conceive this entire people, or did I myself give-birth to it, that you should say to me, ‘Carry it in your bosom like a nursing-father carries a suckling-child, to the soil about which you swore to their fathers?’ Where should I (get) meat to give to this entire people, when they weep on me, saying: ‘Give us meat so that we may eat!’ I am not able, myself alone, to carry this entire people, for it is too heavy for me!  If thus you deal with me, pray kill me, yes, kill me, if I have found favor in your eyes, so that I do not have to see my ill-fortune!”[2]

Though it isn’t entirely obvious in the English, Moses does something fascinating here.  He refers to God in the feminine, not once, but twice.[3] Additionally he uses maternal language to describe the burden of caring for the people referring to himself as a nursing father.  Rashi sees this as Moses being worn down, lacking the ferocity of the leader we previously encounter.

I completely disagree.  Rather, I think Moses is displaying for us and for the people of Israel that there is a particular responsibility that falls upon women even in Israelite society.  Calling upon God in the feminine also reminds us of the compassionate, mothering presence between Moses and God and thereby the people and God, just like when we use the word Shechinah, to describe God.

Mom, Moses is God’s executive director.  God has the vision and Moses knows how to make things happen.  Without Moses, programs would fail, the building would fall apart, people might not make their membership contribution, and the leadership would wary and turn away from their tasks whether assigned of voluntary.  Moses communicates with the people on behalf of the Divine in language they can understand, language we can understand.

Most importantly, Moses never forgets that in the end, he is one of them, one of the Israelites.  Moses reminds of this when he says, “anochi b’kirbam,” “I am among them.”  Mommy, you always say that working for this congregation, working with this congregation is a labor of love.  For ten years you brought the ferocity of a mother feeding her child, tending to every need with diligence, dignity, and kindness.  You remembered to laugh and to have fun and to not take yourself too seriously.  You walk families through celebratory lifecycle events so that they are not throwing a party at temple, they’re celebrating Jewish milestones. You sit with mourners in their darkest hour and ensure that they fully supported by every member of the Mount Zion community.

And when it came time for the community to support you in your hour of need, not only as an employee but as a congregant, you learned the true impact of this place and the potential for holiness around every corner.  Coming into the office wasn’t just going to work and never has been, it is always coming home. Entering into the place where community transforms into sacred community.  A community who supports one another and lives Jewish values in a meaningful and compelling way for the 21^st century.

There is this great program that I used to do at camp, or that I still do at camp because I really like it.  It is called “who in the room.”  What happens is, the leader makes statements, and if the statement is something that is true for you, you stand up.  Let’s try it.  So when I make a statement that is true for you, stand up and remain standing.

-Jane is my mother.

Ok, good, that was a test.  Jessica passed.

-Jane is my colleague.

-Jane is my friend.

-Jane is one of the many people responsible for making Mount Zion a second home for my family and I.

-Jane Steinman’s smile brightened my day.

Please be seated.

Mommy, as you move into the next phase of your life may you know that you will hold your place “b’kirbam,” “among them,” and take your place among the people.  May you know good health, joy, happiness, spools of brilliant yarn, time with family and friends, and wholeness.  May the Shechinah shine upon you and accompany you on wherever the journey may lead.  Ken y’hi ratzon.

[1] Kiddushin 31b

[2] Num. 11:11-15.

[3] Num. 11:12 and 15.

Many people ask me what are some of the differences between Canada and the USA.  There are lots and lots of differences, of course.  One that has come to my attention of late is the ways we engage with our elected officials.

In Canada, MP Irwin Cotler sent around a petition to be signed by any resident of Canada.  This petition needed to be signed by each individual and mailing addresses were required.  The petition is about Iran and calling Iran accountable for the crimes against humanity perpetrated within her borders.  The petition is very important.  You can find it on the ARZA Canada website, print it out, sign it and have everyone you know sign it and get it to MP Cotler’s offices in Ottawa by May 31.

I do not know if members of parliament have twitter accounts or facebook accounts, for that matter.  (Yes I will look into this).  Because I am not a Canadian citizen I do not vote so this information isn’t as vital to me.

In the post September 11 world contacting the United States Congress has become something entirely different.  Because of the anthrax scares all mail goes to a facility in another state and is zapped to kill anything that could harm an individual.  This means that contacting representatives is most effective if done through fax, email or phone call because it alleviates the need for the process I described above.  Today I learned that it is also possible to tweet your representative.  Human Rights Campaign posted this which enables citizens to tweet their representative!  I hope that the RAC starts to do this, too.  It is simple.  Hopefully effective and enables people to engage in political issues that they are passionate about.

I am already a fan of twitter (you can follow me at @rabbisteinman) and this just solidified my opinion that it is leading the way in social media.

———

The RAC does have a great Chai Impact Action Center where you can email your representatives pre-written letters or draft your own.  Check it out!

That’s right.  One week from today is the first pick-up for Pri Adamah.  As of last week, we’re at 37 members.  It is possible to join Pri Adamah once the season has started (clearly you will not pay for the weeks that you missed).  I hope that we will still find the 13 members to get us to our goal before June 1.  Have you been thinking of doing it and neglected to send in your forms?  There’s no time like the present.

In last weeks update, farmer Daniel told us about all of the planting that has been happening at the farm.  I am getting seriously excited for the heirloom tomatoes!

In other news.  Did you see Sunday’s post?  Have you called Congress yet?  Here is an update on what is possibly happening behind the scenes.

This is from my Uncle Alan.  Please do what he asks and make sure to tell your friends.

Dear Friends and Family, I seldom ask for an urgent response, but this is one of those times. Next week the House of Representatives is going to take up the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell issue. It is essential that as many people as possible who wish to see equality of military service for all gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans call the Ho…use of Representatives, at the very least, and your individual Congressional Representative and Senators asking them to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that repeals the current Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law.

When calling the House of Representatives switchboard, 202-225-3121, tell them you want to leave a message for Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, urging her to allow a floor vote on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law.

If you want to call your individual Congressman and Senators, please refer to the following website which will provide a link to your individual legislators.

http://www.sldn.org/pages/push-repeal-to-the-finish-line

Those of you who live in states whose senators are on the Senate Armed Services Committee, it is especially important to contact their office asking that they support an amendment to the NDAA to repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. Those senators are listed at the beginning of the above website.

This is the critical time period for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We’ll either win or lose in the next week or two, so the more public support these legislators here from us, the better are the chances for repeal of this discriminatory law that has been on the books for 17 years.

Thanks to all,

Al

This fascinating article from the New York Review of Books came to my attention.  I strongly recommend reading it.

Is the Canadian Jewish community different from the American Jewish community or is this a North American phenomenon?

Is it strange to wish oneself a happy anniversary?  I just did so I guess not!  It was two years ago today that I was ordained as a rabbi.  What a whirlwind it has been!

I intended to write this long, reflective, contemplative post about the past two years.  Then the reality of tonight beginning Shavuot including confirmation students I have worked with all year hit and there is just no time for writing and reflecting right now.  Hopefully that post might come at another time.

The picture to the left is when I was ordained by Rabbi David Ellenson after being presented by my sponsoring rabbi, Denise Eger.

All throughout the day I’ve been a part of Tweeting #Torah to the top.  If you follow me on twitter @rabbisteinman, you are probably already aware.  If you are on twitter, or you are just interested, search #torah and hopefully you will see lots of different types of posts in preparation for Shavuot tonight.  (The idea for this initiative was to get #torah as the top tweeted item in anticipation of Shavuot.  Thanks @rebmark!)

And since the theme of Shavuot and most of my days as a rabbi is Torah, here’s a picture of me carrying the Torah scroll (a survivor of WWII) from ordination back to Congregation Kol Ami where I borrowed it.  Oh and also to hang out with my family and friends who traveled from near and far to celebrate with me!

Shavuot preparations beckon.  Chag sameach!

This post is from ARZA

Another incident of Haredi violence against women!

ARZA expresses concern about yet another incidence of violence that concerns all of us who endeavor to see the cause of pluralism and respect for all streams of Judaism that become a reality in Israel. On May 12 Noa Raz was attacked at the Be’er Sheva Central Bus Station. (See embedded article below)

Over the past several months this kind of violent behavior has escalated. It is abhorrent that physical harm is threatened and perpetrated against anyone of non-Orthodox streams of Judaism who chooses to observe rituals and worship in their preferred manner.  The disrespect shown by the haredim to women and to other Jews who do not worship as do the haredim is intolerable.  We must continue to rally for pluralism and egalitarianism, to insist that the Government of Israel not be held hostage by those who claim to be the only “legitimate” Jews, and to continue to educate that how one chooses to worship is a private, not a State-mandated matter.

Watch for further updates related to this issue as they become available.

From: Women of the Wall (on Facebook – May 13-2010)

MAY 13th — Noa Raz, a Conservative Jew in her early thirties who lives and works in Tel Aviv, was physically assaulted early Tuesday morning by an ultra-Orthodox man at the Central Bus Station in Be’er Sheva for having the imprints of tefillin (phylacteries) lines visible on her arms.

She had woken up several hours earlier to pray and wrap tefillin, as is part of her daily routine. “I’m very pale, so the tefillin lines are still visible for hours afterward,” she said. While she was waiting for the bus to arrive, an ultra-Orthodox man in his forties stood next to her and stared at the lines on her arms. He asked her twice if the imprints were from tefillin. She ignored him at first, then admitted they were. At that point he grabbed her hand and began to kick and strangle her while screaming “women are an abomination.” She struggled, then broke free and ran to the bus which had just pulled into the station.

There were several bystanders present, though Noa Raz stated that the assault happened so quickly that none had time to react.

Raz arrived in Tel Aviv and sent out a message about the assault on Twitter. Dozens of people responded urged her to go to police to report what had happened. Raz contacted the police the following day, fearing that a similar incident would happen to another woman.

The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) has been working with the Be’er Sheva Police and has insisted they treat Raz’s assault as the hate crime that it is. To this end, IRAC has demanded that the proper resources be allocated in the search for Raz’s attacker, that security camera tapes be reviewed, and that the Chief of Police for Israel’s Southern District be personally involved.

Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of IRAC, stated that the assault on Noa Raz for wrapping tefillin “should not be seen as an isolated incident, but as taking place within an atmosphere of growing violence toward and intimidation of women who seek to pray freely and equally. Too often these acts of violence are tolerated. The fact that this man thought it acceptable to attack a woman for performing a religious act in private is an example of the escalation of violence targeted against women and against religious pluralists in Israel. We at IRAC are pushing the Israeli police to take this investigation seriously.” She added, “Noa, a member of Women of the Wall, is expected to join us tomorrow for Rosh Chodesh Sivan.”

And from the victim herself as published by the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel:

The mitzvah and its “punishment”

By Noa Raz

“He came closer and asked again, in a loud voice, ‘Is that from tefillin?’  I couldn’t ignore him anymore, so I answered, ‘Yes.  What do you want from me?’  He forcefully gripped my left arm and started kicking me.”  Noa Raz was attacked by an ultra-Orthodox man because of her religious beliefs.

Every morning I get up and pray shacharit, with a tallit and tefillin, as God has commanded us.  As a Masorti (Conservative) Jew, it is absolutely clear to me that these mitzvot – to pray, to put on a tallit, to lay tefillin – apply to every believing Jew, including Jewish women.

I am used to hearing offensive comments regarding my religious beliefs, from “Conservative?  What’s that?” to “You’re not even Jews, you’re heretics.”  Unfortunately, I am also used to reading news about the religious violence that is raging in the country.  It starts with violence against the Women of the Wall, moves on through the growing number of public bus lines where men and women must sit separately, not to mention the ultra-Orthodox opposition to the emergency room construction at the Barzilai Hospital due to some suspect bones, and where will it end up?  I am not so sure that I want to know.

But however much I may be used to and aware of all this, it did not help me this last Tuesday morning, when a Haredi man, with hateful eyes, decided to attack me because of my belief in God.

“Woman, abomination, desecration”

It was 7.30 in the morning, quiet on the streets.  I had stayed over at a friend’s in Beersheva.  We got up. I donned my tefillin. We prayed. I took my tefillin off – very routine.  We left the house and I made my way to the bus station. All I was thinking about was how I could squeeze in a few extra hours of sleep before work, but things didn’t quite pan out that way.

A few minutes after I got to the station, I noticed an older man, in Haredi garb, standing and staring at my arm.  A few more seconds went by until he realized that his stare was not transmitting his message clearly enough.  He leaned over towards me, pointed to the ruddy stripes on my arm, those that linger on the skin after taking off tefillin, and asked, “Tell me, is that from tefillin?”  I ignored him, but he asked again: “Is that from tefillin?”  Again, I ignored him, but he moved in on me, stood right in front of me, and again asked, in a loud voice: “Is that from tefillin?”  I couldn’t ignore him anymore, so I looked at him and replied, “Yes.  What do you want from me?”

To be truthful, I was sure that as soon as I would answer him, he would spit out some curse, turn around and leave.  But I was mistaken, he had just started.  He forcefully gripped my left arm and simply began kicking me.  Of course, he didn’t forget to scream out a concoction of words such as “woman, abomination, desecration,” and more.

At first I just froze.  I didn’t understand what was going on.  But after a few moments I came to my senses.  I struggled with him to free myself and ran for the bus that had now arrived.  I felt completely alone.  The place was not busy, but there were some people around.  Some looked on with interest, others turned away.  Only one woman shouted back at him, “Leave her alone, already.”  I don’t want to think what might have happened had I not managed to get away.

The strong dominate, women are humiliated

This is not a story about a man attacking someone at a bus station.  It’s not even a story about violence against women.  It’s a story about religious violence.  It’s a story about attacking a person due to his/her faith, due to his/her will to serve God in his/her own way, in private, according to his/her outlook, according to his/her understanding of the Holy Torah.

The problem does not only lie with that man, the attacker.  It lies with those who educated him, with his leaders who shamelessly and violently talk out against any religious practice that is not Haredi.  It lies with those who brought him up and nurtured him in an atmosphere in which it is permissible to say, without blinking an eyelid, that Conservative Jews are not religious, that someone from a different ethnic group is a cockroach (some Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox parents recently referred so to Sepharadi girls who they did not want their daughters to study with), that there is only one sector (extremely austere) that decides who is a Jew.

We live in a country where the strong dominate and where women are humiliated.  As our society becomes more ultra-Orthodox, more extreme, these boundaries become clearer and more frightening.  Pluralistic Judaism, in its various hues, works day and night to change this situation, through egalitarian and inclusive synagogues, life-cycle events for all, including everybody.

In my view, these movements are saving the Jewish-democratic character of the State of Israel, and this is beyond their role in the international, public relations and educational arenas.  But our country, the one that is supposed to defend us from madmen and false messiahs, as well as cultivate positive and progressive forces, this country is shooting us in the foot time and again.

We can protest against the Haredim every day, but they are not the only guilty ones.  They are Haredi; this is how they believe and they have the right to believe this way.  It is the State that is also guilty of violence, for authorizing their every rampage; and we just carry on and keep quiet.  If we don’t wake up to what is happening around us, we will very soon find ourselves living on the corner of Meah Shearim and Tehran.

On Tuesday evening I returned home after work.  A Chabad van was parked at the corner of my street, surrounded by hassidim.  I like the Chabad people, most of them are respectful of their fellow man.  I have had the chance to have fruitful conversations with them, despite our fundamental disagreement.  Fear paralyses, even me.  Of course, the man who attacked me is not a representative sample, but to kick somebody just because she prays to God?  From here to pulling out a knife, the way is very short.  It makes me wonder who among us is the real Jew.

The author is a member of the Masorti Movement.  She has filed an official complaint with the police.