Rabbis Get Boxed In: Criticism of Israel at a High Price

The new york times ran a major story when the rabbis of B’nai Jeshurun synagogue in New York City sent a note to thousands of congregants applauding the UN resolution of November 29, 2012, which admitted Palestine to the UN as an “observer state.” The story focused on the anger of some (no numbers were given) congregants who were outraged that their rabbis would take such a public stance in support of the right of Palestine to be considered a state. In contrast, the Union of Reform Judaism (the Reform Movement typically and rightly praised for its progressive stance on many other issues) denounced the vote and praised the Obama administration for voting against the UN resolution.

We cheered the B’nai Jeshurun rabbis: Marcelo Bronstein, Rolando Matalon, and Felicia Sol. But the next day, responding to the huge pressure that had been brought on them by the conservative voices in the Jewish community, the rabbis, while not recanting what they said, apologized for giving the false impression that the B’nai Jeshurun community was united on this issue. They also apologized for including in their original letter some names of staff and B’nai Jeshurun board members who hadn’t wanted their names to be used. And their statement spent most of its words affirming how much they loved Israel, without a single reference to the oppressive behaviors of the Israeli government that presumably had led them to sympathize with the Palestinian attempt to get UN recognition.

I’ve heard this over and over again from fellow rabbis: that they dare not speak out unequivocally about Israel lest they put their jobs and ability to support their families in jeopardy. Even among the rabbinic group associated with J Street, I heard many voicing the same fears. The B’nai Jeshurun rabbis’ retreat underscored how even they — rabbis of the synagogue considered by many to be the most successful congregation in the United States in terms of attracting younger Jews — face overwhelming pressure to conform to the official line set by supporters of the Israeli government.

When rabbis do not feel free to engage in controversial political discussions or promote notions of “loving the stranger” for fear of losing their jobs, I feel heartbroken. It is so troubling when these fears override rabbis’ ability to convey to the younger generations what is most exciting about Jewish values or make them appear to be inconsistent or silent on one of the most serious challenges to Judaism: how Jewish values play out in Israel. I yearn for the day when we welcome debate within our Jewish community about all matters, including Israel’s policies and behaviors, and when we embrace “the stranger” with a generous spirit.