Non-Zionist Orthodox organisations like Chabad normally come in for a lot of criticism in Zionist circles for their religious opposition to the secular state of Israel. While I would obviously prefer them to endorse the secular Jewish state, I have often felt that much of the criticism levelled at them, particularly from secular Zionists, has been excessive and disproportional.
Chabad are all too often (out of ignorance or malice) incorrectly lumped together with anti-Zionist Orthodox organisations like Neturei Karte who actively work for the destruction of the Jewish state. Although Chabad do not recognise the authority of the secular institutions that make up the state of Israel as a continuation of Biblical Israel, over the years they have given tremendous support (both spiritual and financial) to help defend and develop the Land of Israel. Who could forget the Rebbe’s famous Tefillin campaign during the 6-day war for example?
In Russia, Chabad is taking this support to an entirely new level. As part of their drive to bring Jews back to Judaism, they are actively encouraging identification with Israel. Haaretz reported this week that in Chabad run Jewish day schools in the former Soviet Union...
The State of Israel is felt almost everywhere … At the entrance to the building stands an Israeli flag, and the hallways are adorned with pictures from Israeli life - soldiers praying at the Western Wall, coffee shops in Haifa and the Eilat beach.
But their support for a strong connection between Young Russian Jews and the modern state of Israel does not stop at travel posters. In recent years, hundreds of Chabad run school students have come to Israel on annual organized trips. The program, known by its Hebrew acronym Heftziba, largely consists of visits to Jewish holy sites, but also includes jeep and kayaking trips and even a night in a Bedouin tent.
Chabad run Jewish school officials explained to Haaretz that familiarity with Israel is the best way to strengthen the students' Jewish identity. "In the students' eyes, the Israeli flag is the most Jewish thing there is," said Rabbi Pinchas Vyshedsky, FJC-Ukraine representative to the city of Donetsk. "We were very pleased with our students' visits to Israel. The visit worked miracles in terms of their interest in Judaism and desire to belong to the Jewish community."
In a remarkably open minded and forward thinking statement the director of the Chabad School program, Rabbi David Mondshine, is quoted as saying:
"The criteria for success from our standpoint is stopping assimilation. We will be delighted if our graduates will be religiously observant, but even if that doesn't happen it will be alright, so long as they marry Jews."
The approach of Chabad in Russia is an example all Jewish organisations (secular and religious) should follow. Rather than promoting conflict between the different aspects of Jewish identity, we need to get them to work together to ensure Jewish survival. Shekayach Chabad!
Chabad are all too often (out of ignorance or malice) incorrectly lumped together with anti-Zionist Orthodox organisations like Neturei Karte who actively work for the destruction of the Jewish state. Although Chabad do not recognise the authority of the secular institutions that make up the state of Israel as a continuation of Biblical Israel, over the years they have given tremendous support (both spiritual and financial) to help defend and develop the Land of Israel. Who could forget the Rebbe’s famous Tefillin campaign during the 6-day war for example?
In Russia, Chabad is taking this support to an entirely new level. As part of their drive to bring Jews back to Judaism, they are actively encouraging identification with Israel. Haaretz reported this week that in Chabad run Jewish day schools in the former Soviet Union...
The State of Israel is felt almost everywhere … At the entrance to the building stands an Israeli flag, and the hallways are adorned with pictures from Israeli life - soldiers praying at the Western Wall, coffee shops in Haifa and the Eilat beach.
But their support for a strong connection between Young Russian Jews and the modern state of Israel does not stop at travel posters. In recent years, hundreds of Chabad run school students have come to Israel on annual organized trips. The program, known by its Hebrew acronym Heftziba, largely consists of visits to Jewish holy sites, but also includes jeep and kayaking trips and even a night in a Bedouin tent.
Chabad run Jewish school officials explained to Haaretz that familiarity with Israel is the best way to strengthen the students' Jewish identity. "In the students' eyes, the Israeli flag is the most Jewish thing there is," said Rabbi Pinchas Vyshedsky, FJC-Ukraine representative to the city of Donetsk. "We were very pleased with our students' visits to Israel. The visit worked miracles in terms of their interest in Judaism and desire to belong to the Jewish community."
In a remarkably open minded and forward thinking statement the director of the Chabad School program, Rabbi David Mondshine, is quoted as saying:
"The criteria for success from our standpoint is stopping assimilation. We will be delighted if our graduates will be religiously observant, but even if that doesn't happen it will be alright, so long as they marry Jews."
The approach of Chabad in Russia is an example all Jewish organisations (secular and religious) should follow. Rather than promoting conflict between the different aspects of Jewish identity, we need to get them to work together to ensure Jewish survival. Shekayach Chabad!
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