ALIYAH COMMITTEE
AMTON Newsletter
June 2001
WELCOME DEAR FRIENDS,
As I start this newsletter today, I am enroute back
to N.Y. after two weeks in Israel visiting family and
friends. A new government is in place with Ariel Sharon
as Prime Minister and Intifida II continues raging around
us.
As we hope for the future and pray for the success
of the new government, one point is more clear than
ever: the importance of the survival of Israel as a
Jewish state coupled with the importance of Masorti
Judaism in Israel. In the words of Rabbi Gerald C. Skolnik,
of the Forest Hills Jewish Center and co-chair of the
Israel Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly, "along
with our passionate love of Israel and concern for her
physical security, many of us also care deeply and passionately
about the development of Masorti Judaism in Israel.
We believe that Israeli society — for its own good
— desperately needs religious alternatives to the
Orthodox and secular/anti-religious elements. Masorti
Judaism is not just a "pet cause" for us,
yet another ‘American Friends of...’ organization
to which to write a check. We see the Masorti cause
as an imperative..." (The New York Jewish Week,
3/2/01; for copies of Rabbi Skolnik’s entire article,
please call the Tnuat Am office, 212-533-7800, ext.
2020.)
What better way to help perpetuate and strengthen the
values of freedom, democracy, and pluralism in Israel
and the future of Israel as a Jewish State than to participate
in the continued growth and development of the Masorti
Movement in Israel!
What can we do to help? Visit Israel now, experience
her beauty, whether in the Galilee or the Negev, experience
Shabbat in a Masorti synagogue, encourage
your synagogue to adopt a sister synagogue in Israel,
and/or interest your synagogue or college group in planning
a Masorti weekend when you return.
Despite a reduction in tourism to Israel, there are
still plenty of travelers (this El Al plane is about
2/3 full), but there are enough empty seats so that
my husband and I have an extra seat to ourselves —
no small treat on these long flights. The country is
green, flowers are blooming, theaters and concert halls
are full, and the Israel Museum has a wonderful Modern
Masters exhibit, and people are still making aliyah
from all over the world.
What better time to visit Israel and show our support.
As an Israeli friend wrote
this week "when does American Jewry need to show
its support for Israel: when it is easy — or when
it is difficult? NOW is the time to come here and show
your solidarity with us. Now more than ever we need
you to come, visit, spend your vacations with us here
in Israel, as soon as possible, and as often as possible."
With hopes that by the time you are reading this, Israel
is closer to the peace we so long for, and enjoying
the fruits of her 53rd Independence Day.
Irma F. "Cindy" Megiddo
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