Israeli Reform rabbi visiting Milwaukee

 Israeli Reform Rabbi Ariella Graetz-Bartuv is coming to visit from a country where Jewish culture is dominant but the Reform movement is small, to connect with likeminded Americans and trade ideas.

Graetz-Bartuv is visiting Wisconsin as part of a joint initiative of the Reform movement and the Israeli government.

“Shaping the dream: Striving for religious pluralism and gender equality in Israel” is the title of a discussion to be held at Congregation Sinai. Graetz-Bartuv is coming to Milwaukee for a day, after stops in New Jersey and St. Louis.

The voyage is not a fundraising trip. It is simply a connecting trip.

Hers is part of a larger initiative that seeks to connect Israel and the diaspora, a project that arguably started with Milwaukee. The Israeli Diaspora Department, headed by Rabbi Nir Barkin, is the engine behind this visit and other Israel-Diaspora connections. Barkin says his time in Milwaukee led him down his current path. (See other story, this issue.)

Below, Graetz-Bartuv answers questions by email, slightly edited, on her upcoming visit.

Why are you coming to Milwaukee?

My congregation, Emet VeShalom in Nahariya, Israel, is long-term friends with Congregation Sinai (in Fox Point). The main idea is to keep and build relationships for study and learning from each other. We have many challenges that are the same.

What do you hope people in Milwaukee will learn from your visit?

We hope to discuss challenges that we all have when it comes to Jewish education and Jewish identity. Also, our challenges in Israel to bring forward progressive Judaism. I hope that people in Milwaukee will understand how much we need your support in spirit, and for advice and action. The Jewry in the United States is a strong partner now more than ever.

What’s your role in Israel?

I am a community rabbi, but also work in schools through the Tali network. I also teach b’nei mitzvah kids in Haifa who are not in my congregation. I am part of the organization, Rabbis for Human Rights. I see my role to change the discourse of Israeli society.

What’s your connection to the Orthodox community?

I am married to the Orthodox community – my husband is Orthodox. I also live in an Orthodox village in the Galilee.

What’s it like being a Reform rabbi in Israel?

It is not easy and very challenging. People are really not used to these terms. Often, I feel like an alien from Mars. But it really is very rewarding to see how people change their concept after they deal with me. And they realize that it is actually not so bad to have a woman rabbi. Maybe there are even some advantages.