Are the Jewish people one? Local leaders weigh in

“[T]here is no unanimity in what unifies the Jewish community,” said Richard H. Meyer, executive vice president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

Therefore, he continued, the act of “raising the question” or “engaging in dialogue” about it is what binds us.

“Are the Jewish People One?” was the topic at Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee’s Brunch ’N Learn on Sunday, Dec. 5 at Lake Park Synagogue. A panel of Jewish communal professionals and activists shared their perspectives on Jewish unity relative to their work.

The program was divided into three sections. After the opening discussion, at which panelists talked for a few minutes, members split into small discussion groups and then re-assembled at the end to discuss ethical dilemmas, which had been raised in the small groups.

In contrast to Meyer, several panelists pointed to specific unifiers. Harriet Schachter McKinney, executive director of the American Jewish Committee-Milwaukee Chapter, said that “the manner in which we respond to oppression” ties Jews to each other.
Israel is also a powerful element in Jewish unity, said Alon Galron, community shaliach (Israel emissary) and director of the federation’s Israel Center. It “focuses the attention of Jews around the world.”

Joshua Richman, community activist and organizer of music programs in the local Jewish community, said that there’s something “internal that connects every Jew to each other…. We are equal in the sense that we’re bound to the same force, but not identical.”

Music, however, is one force that can unify Jews. It’s “a language which all of us can speak,” he said.

But, Jewish identity is not dependent on beliefs or affiliation, said Elana Kahn-Oren, editor of The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. “Where are the bounds of our community? What are the limits?” she said.

“The Chronicle attempts to include all elements of the Jewish community.”

Co-facilitator Rabbi David Brusin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shir Hadash, found an answer in the leniency of the interpretations of Jewish texts.

“It’s no accident that we’re known as the people of the book,” he said. “We are one because the many sacred pivotal texts of our history are open-ended.”

But Jewish identity is formed through involvement during youth, said Randi Komisar, coordinator of Young Jewish Adults of Milwaukee, a program of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center and Hillel Foundation-Milwaukee. Jewish schools, camps and youth organizations help develop a generation that will be “unified in going to the next level,” she said.

During the small discussion groups, participants shared their ideas. Rachel Forman, THI board member, noted the “diversity of approaches to the same question…. We should embrace the diversity … as opposed to the need to synthesize.”

THI president Lew Friedland agreed that everyone brings his own perspective. “We read Torah [in his Torah study group at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun] but everyone brings to it …their own subjective opinion.”

After the small groups, participants and panelists reconvened to discuss several ethical dilemmas.

One such dilemma was the question of whether or not to allow a Jew to go to Israel with birthright israel, a 10-day free trip to Israel for 18-26 year olds, though he said on his application form that he planned to attend pro-Hamas rallies and support anti-Israel efforts. Panelists raised a variety of opinions.

McKinney said she would include him “because this person has come to some realization based on his limited experience,” and she would hope the program would change his mind.

“I don’t think it’s unusual for young people to feel conflicted [about Israel]. We want you to go there. We want to capture your mind and heart,” she said.

Galron felt differently, “What kind of impact would it have on the others? I wouldn’t include this individual knowing his intentions.”

But, said Richman, “There needs to be a creative way to reach out to a person like this.”

The day’s topic was chosen by THI’s executive director, Judy Baruch, who said that that exploring Jewish unity reflects the makeup of the organization itself, which includes members from different streams of Judaism.

And it is indicative of THI’s mission to provide study for all Jews, regardless of affiliation, to connect with each other through study and social action.

“We’re always looking for ways to bring the community together,” said Brusin.

The event was co-facilitated by Rabbi Shlomo Levin, spiritual leader of Lake Park Synagogue.