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1. Dr Philip Bliss Jul 16, 8:20 pm hide options
From: "Dr Philip Bliss"
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2005 10:20:27 +1000
Local: Sat,Jul 16 2005 8:20 pm
Subject: Personal Observation on Recent Visit to Israel and Russia
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Personal Observation on Recent Visit to Israel and Russia
As you may be aware we have recently returned from visiting Israel for the World Zionist and Jewish Agency meetings in Jerusalem and the World Union for Progressive Judaism Convention in Moscow and St Petersburg.
I would like to share, briefly, some personal observations with you. I know you have been sent the WUPJ reports on the conference and being lengthy you may not have read through them.
Israel
Without question the situation with the proposed disengagement from Gaza permeates nearly every conversation and activity in Israel. Those against the pullout are vocal and in Jerusalem there are many cars and apartments with orange streamers showing their opposition to Sharon and the Government proposals. Those supporting the government fly blue and white streamers. For some reason some display both! The disengagement debate flowed onto various debates within the World Zionist meetings especially when it came to appointing a new chairman to replace Salai Meridor who was retiring a year early. Prime Minister Sharon put up the very successful mayor of Ra'anana, Zeev Bielski. Nathan Sharansky was put up by World Likud as they both opposed the disengagement and Sharon. The Progressive Movement as part of the 'New Faction' supported Sharon's candidate because not only was he an excellent administrator with a proven track record but there was more chance of him working successfully to re-organise the WZO and Jewish Agency. Sharansky has not been helpful in any way to the non orthodox and if he were to be at logger heads with Sharon over disengagement the WZO and Jewish Agency would have severe problems. Fortunately, Sharansky's nomination was turned down and to huge applause Bielski was voted in for the next year to lead the WZO and JA. Hopefully he will then take on a four year term at next years Zionist Congress meeting.
One of the most interesting sessions we had was actually organised by ARZENU for the Progressive Zionist delegates after shule services at WUPJ headquarters. The theme revolved around a Progressive response to the future identity of Israel, disengagement and speaking up for what we believe. There was very strong support for a two state solution with equal rights for ALL Israeli citizens. It was made clear that unless two viable states were created Israel would not have a Jewish majority and could only then exist in an untenable situation and only by force. By opposing disengagement the very viability of Israel was at risk. The Progressive movement had to speak up for a strong Israel while also seeking equality and pluralism for all of Israel's citizens Arab and Jew alike.
I spoke to several settler families who are fanatical about not giving up land and delight in seeing their children battling with the soldiers who are trying to keep the roads open. The right wing fundamentalism is scary and I will be glad when this Gaza plan in completed as at the moment it has all the hallmarks reminiscent of 1995. I was disappointed to read that the president of our Victorian State Zionist Council has made public statements opposing the policies of the Israel government. This brings the divisiveness to Australia. I never thought I would see a Zionist leader publicly oppose the Israel Government. I cannot see how he can maintain a Zionist leadership role and oppose the Israel government.
The Progressive movement is doing well in Israel and each year moves ahead steadily. I was surprised to see the Conservative Masorti movement fall into deep financial strife and having to sack their executive director. This is not good for the non orthodox movements generally and it would seem sensible to combine our resources for a brighter future. The wonderful educational and social programs of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism will be detailed elsewhere but needless to say we were all very proud of their leadership and commitment.
Russia
After a delightful wedding performed by Rabbi Uri Regev and held at Ramat Rachel in Jerusalem for the daughter of Penny and Andrew Jakobovits ( Penny is the immediate past president of the UPJ), a number of us then travelled onto the WUPJ convention in Moscow. We learned just before leaving that we had all been moved onto another hotel separate to the conference hotel as President Putin wanted 17 rooms for a Chinese delegation! Although our new hotel was in itself delightful it did mean that we had to travel by bus to the meetings. This could take anything from 12 minutes to over an hour depending on the horrific traffic conditions. When Putin goes to work all the traffic in the area comes to a halt. On more than one occasion our bus driver got lost.
Over 400 delegates from all over the world attended the convention and you have been sent details of each day. My overall impression was that the WUPJ having worked on a shoestring for the last 15 years has achieved some remarkable results. There are over 100 Progressive congregations throughout the FSU with 6 Russian born Progressive rabbis. Nearly all the congregations are made up mainly of young people. There is a Machon leadership centre in Moscow that trains leaders and para Rabbis some of whom go onto full training overseas in London and Israel. The machon graduates then go back to their communities and help develop the congregations. The president of the St Petersberg congregation is a 26 year old woman who has a Masters degree in business and commerce and works for a large international bank. Fluent in Russian and English she interpreted later at the induction of their new Russian rabbi, Michael Farbman who was trained at the Leo Baeck College in London. This was a very emotional and moving ceremony and there were many wet eyes around the impressive Hall of Poets.
It was very encouraging to see so many young people attending the Reform services and this is in stark contrast with most of the Chabad congregations. It was very telling when we visited the main (orthodox) synagogue in St Peterberg. It is a beautiful Sephardic style synagogue, recently renovated with funds from a London financier, we were greeted by a young lady who is the shule's official guide and she spoke of the history of this congregation. The rabbi is from Chabad and he determines whether you are suitably Jewish to attend. When asked her if she went to shule she told us that she only went on Purim. This was when Chabad provides free beer!!
It was unclear how the Jewish community celebrated Shabbat during the 'white night' period when sunset is after midnight and it stays dark for less than a couple of hours!
There is a real problem in Russia for the Progressive movement as President Putin has elected a Chabad rabbi as the so called chief rabbi ! He can dictate who is Jewish and who is not ( and of course does not consider the Progressive Jews as real Jews). In many ways he is the typical court Jew with all the distasteful implications that that evokes.
You don't have to scratch very hard to find antisemetism in Russia. The State prosecutor was threatening to bring charges against the Jewish community over allegations that the Shulchan Aruch was racist. World protests caused a change of heart but the mere fact that it was being considered left an unpleasant taste. The situation is not helped by many of the oligarchs being Jewish.
One site visit was to a town called Tula about two and a half hours north of Moscow, although as usual it took nearly 4 hours. This is the home town of Tolstoy but the reason for the visit was to attend the weddings of two couples who wanted to have a Jewish wedding. These were the first Jewish weddings in Tula since 1917. The ceremony was at the Jewish community centre. This is a joint centre that houses both the Reform and Orthodox congregations. The president began the Reform congregation in her home and it grew from there. We were welcomed by the orthodox rabbi of the community and the reform president and then the weddings were performed by Rabbi Joel Oseran director of the WUPJ and the chuppah tallit was held by other Progressive rabbis of the world movement. The two couples appeared very nervous but very excited at the same time. A wonderful four piece band played before and afterwards and I can say that the whole trip was worth it just to be present for this ceremony alone.
The Progressive movement in Russia needs much support especially as our movement is young and mainly made up of young people. Netzer is vibrant throughout the FSU and this summer there will be over 900 attending Netzer camps! There could be a lot more if there was more money to finance them. We had two Netzer leaders from Australia participating in the WUPJ youth programs for the conference and the experience for them was terrific.
Penny Jakobovits and Phyllis Dorey were both presenters at the conference and did us proud. Penny spoke about women in our Progressive movement and Phyllis spoke about our new leadership program. Both gave papers on Progressive Judaism in our region.
The WUPJ leadership changed with the new chairman Steve Bauman taking over from Ruth Cohen under whose leadership the whole WUPJ structure has been completely re-organised. Both Penny and I were elected to the world executive.
Overall a most stimulating convention not without it's problems but at times electrifying with deep insights into some of the challenges facing us today and into the future.
I will be posting some photos on the UPJ web site very soon.
Philip Bliss
Dr Philip Bliss
20 Anderson Road East Hawthorn
Victoria Australia 3123
T 613 9822 2691 F 613 9824 8163
philipbl...@philipbliss.com
www.philipbliss.com
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