The Am Echad delegation in front of the Knesset
On February 20, some fifty delegates from Orthodox Jewish communities around the world traveled to Israel to communicate Diaspora Orthodox Jewry's voices with the highest levels of Israeli leadership and government. The goal of this mission was to relay that the Orthodox Jewish community is a strong, vibrant community that deserves input into matters which concern Diaspora Jews. As it is now, the government's dialogue is limited, mostly, to being with Reform and Conservative representatives, who do not share the opinions of Orthodox Jews.
Of particular concern for the Orthodox communities is retaining the status quo of the religious nature of the State, in particular as it relates to the status of the Kosel and conversion (giyur), and that when the Israeli Government turns to Diaspora Jewry for their input on these issues, Am Echad — which represents a broad array of Orthodox individuals and organizations internationally — deserves a seat at the table.
In the six weeks leading up to the mission, over 150,000 members of Diaspora Jewry sent a simple, yet powerful, message to Prime Minister Bennett through Am Echad's One Kosel campaign. They said,
"Reject the Kotel Compromise which profanes our holy places. Keep one Kosel for one nation."
The delegation, led by co-chairmen Mr. Sol Werdiger and Dr. Irving Lebovics, carried this message forward. "When we opened the OneKosel portal, we heard from so many people was really cared about this issue but felt they had no way of making their voices heard. Orthodox Jews care about kedushas haKosel. They care even more about the integrity of personal status and the need for giyur k'halachah. And Orthodox Jews in chutz la'aretz certainly don't appreciate others speaking in their name," Ms. Leah Zagelbaum, coordinator of the OneKosel campaign.
After an overview and orientation to the current state of these issues with the participation of MK Aryeh Deri and MK Yaakov Litzman, the delegates embarked on a whirlwind schedule, meeting with both government and religious dignitaries.
Highlights of the mission included meetings with President Isaac Herzog and with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. At the meeting with President Herzog, the delegation presented him with a photo of his grandparents — Chief Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog and Rabbanit Sarah Herzog — mounted together with a letter from the Chief Rabbi to the American community, and a letter from Rabbanit Herzog asking religious women to vote in Israeli elections. The president was extremely positive about Am Echad, and receptive to the message being relayed.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, together with Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, the delegation members discussed a series of issues of concern, including the authority of the Chief Rabbi to regulate conversion guidelines, and the Kotel Compromise. Mrs. Leah Aharoni, Am Echad's Israel director, explained that removing the Rabbanut from the decision making process for conversion will generate confusion and create divisiveness among Jewish communities in the Diaspora. The meeting also included discussions on the major challenges facing the State of Israel in the political and security arenas, with a special focus on the Iranian nuclear issue.
The mission delegates also met and had vibrant discussions with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; MK Nir Barkat, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs; Minister of Housing and Construction Zeev Elkin; Defense Minister Benny Gantz; MK Israel Katz; MK Yariv Levin; leader of the opposition former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Gideon Saar; leader of the coalition Idit Silman; and MK Bezalel Smotrich.
The delegates also met with organizational representatives, such as the leadership of Galei Israel Radio, and with staff from the Jewish Agency, who explained to the delegates their activities aimed at improving their outreach to the chareidi community. U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides met with the delegation to offer his thoughts, especially on such concerns as Iran and the Ukraine situation.
The delegation hosted Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau, who spoke about the critical need for t the Chief Rabbinate to maintain its authority, and the issues that are currently a danger. Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Tzfas, also addressed the delegation, and led them in saying Tehillim for the Jews of Ukraine.
A highlight for the delegation was visiting the Kotel Plaza, hosted by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rav of the Kotel. They were able to review the government's plans for dividing the Kosel, and see for themselves how the platform under Robinson's arch, set aside for egalitarian prayer, was deserted — as it usually is.
"It was inspiring to see people take off from work and travel to Eretz Yisroel to participate in this mission for no reason other than defending Hashem and his Torah. May Hashem bless their efforts with success," said Dr. Irving Lebovics, co-chair of Am Echad.
"It was important that Israeli politicians hear our message, whether or not they agree with it. It is also crucial that they know that not only is Diaspora Jewry not a monolith made up of only the Reform and Conservative movements, but that Orthodox Jewry is the most vibrant and fastest growing part of Diaspora Jewry," said Mr. Shlomo Werdiger, co-chair of Am Echad.
