Friday, August 17, 2007 Sermon; By Rabbi Denise L. Eger

Shabbat Shalom

The poet said
One does not travel to Jerusalem, one returns
One ascends to the road taken by generations.
The path of longing on the way to redemption.
One brings rucksacks stuffed with memories to each mountain and each hill,
In the cobbled white alleyways one offers a blessing
For memories of the past which have been renewed.
One does not travel to Jerusalem, one returns.

Jerusalem is indeed a place to return to… and again this summer I returned to Jerusalem to the core of our universe. Jerusalem in according to the Talmud is the navel of the earth. It is the place where the Divine mother’s umbilical cord connected with her child, the world! And thus Jerusalem is the very place where God and the world were once one.
When you come to Jerusalem you can feel that pulse. And this summer Jerusalem’s heart beat strong! Jerusalem and all of Israel was booming with people from all over the world. Tourists, those who had second homes there, birthright youth trips from N. America, Argentina, Australia and S. Africa. Some nights it was difficult to get into a restaurant without a long wait because of the number of people that converge into Jerusalem! It was a relief to see the hotels filled, the streets crowded and people everywhere after my time in Israel last summer when overnight, as the Lebanon War broke out everyone deserted the country.
The mood in Israel at the moment is one of grab all for the moment. And so people are living their lives, going to work, celebrating with their families. While I was there the Jerusalem film festival opened with an outdoor showing of Ratatouille, the animated children’s movie. Of course being from Los Angeles where movie premiere’s happen almost every week I must admit I am a bit jaded. But you would have thought it was high art as everyone flocked young and old alike to see the premier of a movie that openened the same week as in the states. This was truly a special event for all of Israel and for Jerusalem. But what was heartening was that large crowds could gather in the open summer air with less fear than even a year ago.
The civil war in Gaza between Fatah and Hamas has in some weird way alleviated some pressure in Israel. Israel’s intent two summers ago to disengage completely from Gaza is actually somewhat coming to fruition although not exactly in the way they imagined. Hamas’ participation in the Palestinian Authorities joint government had crippled Israel’s ability to engage in any meaningful peace dialogues or talks since Israel’s policy is to refuse to deal with terrorist organizations. And Hamas has committed some of the most heinous crimes against Israel and her citizens. But now there are slow and patient movements toward discussion with Fatah at least about the West Bank area.
One area of Israel is however still particularly vulnerable and continues to pay a heavy price and that is the town of S’derot in the south near the Gaza border. There are daily barrages of missiles and rockets that rain down upon the town from the Gaza strip. The townspeople of S’derot live in constant terror and fear. And although Israel tries some measured responses it cannot go full blast into Gaza Strip without creating deeper problems. So Hamas still terrorizes parts of Israel and threaten to deepen the range of their missile launches into port cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon and even threatening to launch all the way to Tel Aviv.
Israel is rebuilding after the war in Lebanon and much of the north is rebuilt. But the deep scars of last summer’s war in Lebanon remain. The forests and hills are still blackened even with many efforts to replant. It will take decades for the lushness to return. But the emotional scars that remain are greater. Although I still believe Israel was completely justified in its response to attacks by rocket, missiles, and the kidnapping of its soldiers all three who have yet to be returned, the feeling in Israel is that it was a defeat for the IDF. The army was not prepared. The equipment was sub-par and the chain of command of the Israeli army confusing. And this is quite a blow to the Israeli ego—who prides its self-image on the liberating soldiers of Jerusalem 40 years ago. The memory of the lightening strategic victories of the six day war in June of 1967 are faded and torn by the inept way in which Lebanon II was handled. And this is a bitter pill for Israel to swallow. Right now there is a top to bottom and bottom to top review and rebuilding of the Israeli Defense Forces happening so that they will not be caught in this situation again.
On the Israeli political front –there was always entertainment. While I was there the president, Moshe Katsav who had been accused of Sexual misconduct was granted a plea bargain and didn’t have to face sentencing for rape! Ehud Olmert the prime minister had such low support in poll numbers it made President Bush’s poll numbers look soaring.
Elder statesman Shimon Peres who is seen in Israel as the old European uncle that can never win an election on his own, finally won election as Israel’s new president to bring dignity to that now scandal ridden institution. But in Israel politics are always a bit theatrical and over the top.
And yet, where else in the world is there Jewish opera, and Jewish symphony? Where else in the world is there a fleet of Jewish taxi cab drivers and Jewish truck drivers? Where else in the world can Jews feel so at home because the rhythm of life is a Jewish rhythm. For when Shabbat descends on Friday afternoon the world is as it should be. It takes a breath in Jerusalem and in turns help us to re-imagine ourselves and our lives for 24 hours.
For me personally this return was special because it marked the 25 anniversary of my year in Israel. And I returned to study with my rabbinic school roommate and childhood friend. And so there was a special quality to my time at the Shalom Hartman Institute. There were 18 Los Angeles area rabbis studying this summer as well. We were the largest contingent from one place. Overall, 130 rabbis of all stripes joined in study and learning together. Our theme this year was Tikkun Olam; The universal and Particular. This is something I thought I really knew about. Tikkun Olam—repair of the world. It is something we Reform Jews really own spiritually as a foundation of our theology. It is ours to help make the world a better place. And yet I now have a deeper understanding of this as a cornerstone of our tradition. For this notion of tikkun, repair and correction is nothing short of the foundational ideas of tzedek u’mishpat , righteousness and justice in Judaism. We emulate God bringing justice and righteousness into the earthly realm when we engage in Tikkun Olam.
There is much more to say about it. And I will in the coming weeks ahead.
Several highlights of our study together was one day trip to the archaelogical dig of the hometown of Goliath! Yes, of David and Goliath fame. Ongoing digging hasn’t yet discovered historical proof of his existence but certainly there was a Philistine town at Gath, named in the Bible as his hometown that fits the era of Goliath!
It is not far from the Ekron valley where David fought Goliath and one can easily see the topography described in the Bible standing on the tel, the archaeological mound.
Another highlight was the Israel Baseball League. This summer pro baseball came to Israel! Six teams, playing on three fields, seven innings with a fifth inning stretch. Started and funded by Americans, the bleachers and seats are filled with ex-pats Americans and their children. Israelis are struggling to understand that game but it is hilarious to hear the announcers on the Israeli eqivilent of ESPN talk about Strikim and ballim---Strikes and balls! In typical fashion three colleagues and I set out to watch a game at Kibbutz Gezer about 30 minutes from Jerusalem. We consulted the website for the start of the game and made our way through rush hour traffic only to arrive as the game was finishing. In typical Israeli fashion they had changed the time of the game but didn’t update the newspaper or website because the lights on the fields didn’t work and it was getting to dark to play on the field! But we visited with the league officials, bought lots of t-shirts, and baseballs, took pictures at this ball field built on a kibbutz in the middle of the sunflower fields! Their philosophy is truly like in the Field of Dreams story –if you build it they will come! In the Israel Baseball League they gather for Maariv services after the last out! Truly it is a wonderous place, Israel and Jerusalem!
Truly it is a wonderous and holy place, where every step is filled with our history, our tribe. Truly it is a wonderous miracle that keeps Israel strong despite the neighborhood it lives in. Truly it is a wonderous miracle, its resilient people, though its children serve to protect and defend it, keep living for the moment, the day when peace will indeed descend upon their corner of the world and once again, the Divine Holy Presence will spread a tabernacle of peace over all its people.
Israel will celebrate its 60th anniversary this May. Our congregation will have lots of opportunities to celebrate and explore the meaning of our relationship with Israel. In the mean time I hope that you will support Israel and in particular Reform Judaism in Israel by joining ARZA—the Association of Reform Zionists of America. You can do so with your dues renewal or pick up the brochure in the lobby. You will build your relationship to Israel and help bring about a committed, pluralistic vision of Jewish state.
I for one can’t wait to return there!
Even though its is good to be home
Shabbat Shalom.