By Rabbi Dow Marmur
JERUSALEM — I’ve often contended that had there not been a State of Israel, Judaism would by now been confined to museums. Enclaves of Orthodox Jews would perhaps continue to practice their ways in the manner of the Amish in the United States. The majority would assimilate.
I’ve now come to fear that its government and its right-wing supporters, ostensibly acting out of patriotism, have become a threat to the future of the Jewish state. Extremists on the political right are neurotically endangering that which they say they so passionately seek to defend. The way politicians in power, including the prime minister, are courting reactionaries around the globe, be they evangelicals or fascists – with Donald Trump as the fake incarnation of benevolent Uncle Sam – is part of the evidence.
We must not forget the oft-repeated Biblical contention that we were exiled from our land, not only because of what our enemies did to us, but also because of our sins. It may happen to us again – and this time it may, God beware, spell the end of Judaism.
The answer is, of course, not to abandon Zionism but to restore its original aim: to provide a safe haven for Jews on their ancestral land that they’ve never forgotten and never abandoned, even when they were banished from it.
I’m immensely proud and grateful that my son Michael is now the chairman of Rabbis for Human Rights, an organization that seeks to help educate the Israeli public in the values of Prophetic Judaism; that his wife Sarah heads an organization promoting Jewish-Christian understanding and Arab-Jewish coexistence; and that their daughter Miriam works for an organization championing human rights for the Arabs in Gaza. They’re seeking to fulfill the Zionist ideal under adverse political conditions. Mercifully, there’re Jews and non-Jews all over the world willing and able to support their work.
I’m dismayed at the Jews, some in Israel but many more in the Diaspora, who seek to distance themselves from Zionism because of the politicians who purport to act in its name. In fact, the above reflections – a re-statement of views I’ve often expressed over the years – are prompted by an article in the Seattle Times by Alice Rothchild, described as a filmmaker, retired doctor and author of several critical books on Israel.
She’s understandably and justifiably distressed by the way “patriotic” Israeli politicians, including soldiers and police officers often treat Palestinians. But instead of, first recognizing that the Palestinian leaders themselves greatly contribute to the plight of their people and, second, joining forces with the many Israelis working for peace and coexistence, she chooses to abandon Zionism and thereby helps to endanger Judaism. Unfortunately, a growing number of Jews share her way. Mercifully, there’re others who may save us from the exigencies of zealous “patriots” at the one end of the wide Jewish spectrum and “progressives” at the other.
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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Canada. Now a resident of Israel, he may be contacted via dow.marmur@sdjewishworld.com