The Rabbinical Assembly, the international professional organization of Masorti/Conservative rabbis, is holding its annual convention in Jerusalem this month, and I will be there. Rather than looking for the least expensive plane ticket, I choose to buy a ticket on El Al, Israel’s national airline. First of all, in these troubled times, I want to support the economy of Israel any way I can. Secondly, in the past year other airlines have frequently, with very little notice, canceled flights to Israel or stopped service altogether. El Al has reliably continue to fly.
For the past nearly 14 months Israel has been subject to tremendous trauma – a war on two fronts, missile and rocket attacks, terror attacks on the streets of major cities, and the ongoing suffering of more than 100 hostages held in Gaza. Yes, I know that the residents of Gaza are living amidst devastating destruction and death. For that I blame their elected government, Hamas.
The RA has kept its commitment to hold its convention in Israel because the least it can do is support our Israeli colleagues by joining with them for a few days of learning side by side with them. I am going to Israel because the least I can do is to experience first-hand what it’s like to live under the threat of attack, learn how Israel is addressing trauma and planning for a better future, and spend some of my resources to lift up the tourism economy. If you want to join me as a “virtual tourist” and help me spend some money and give some tzedakah in Israel, I invite you to make donations to my discretionary fund. When I return, I’ll report back on what I’ve seen and done, and how your donations have improved the lives of our Israeli siblings. I leave December 4, and I’ll return December 16.
If you haven’t heard or read my Rosh Hashanah sermons, download them from AhavasIsraelGR.org to consider some ways that you can build closer ties to Israel as its indigenous people. And please contact me if you would like to host a gather for you and a few of your friends to talk about planning a community trip to Israel next year or early in 2026.
Hebrew word(s) of the Month:
- • Molad’ti – My homeland
- • Yelidi – Indigenous
- • Ha’aretz – The Land, always a reference to the land of Israel
Embodied Torah 
Yes, Rabbi K,
I read your wisdom with each of these articles. I agree with you to support Israel.
Rabbi have a safe, blessed trip to Israel. The Arbetmans were fortunate to visit Israel in 2011 and had a second wedding service at the south wall.
We are giving monthly to Israeli organizations, American Jewish organizations and our annual donation to the GR Jewish Federation.
Rabbi, I did not know I am a Zionist until 10/07/23 happened and the HATE has gotten worst and worst to the point of killing/or attempted killing even in the United States in the last 2 months.
BTW: I am glad this HATE is out in the open, it was always there, but hidden somewhat, a positive take maybe we might be able to fight AS ONE Jews entity with all our different viewpoints.
Rabbi K, Georgiann T. Arbetman would like you to know we the Arbetmans have found PEACE at the Chabad of Western Michigan, it is a welcoming place even for a woman conservative convert with disabilities.
Peace, G-d’s Light, LOVE,
Georgiann T. Arbetman
LikeLike
Georgiann, I’m glad you are happy at the Chabad House. Please know that if you were a male Conservative convert, you would not be welcomed in the same way. Because you are not counted in a minyan and cannot take an aliyah or other honor, it is irrelevant to them how you converted. A non-Orthodox male convert will not be counted in a minyan and will not receive Torah honors.
LikeLike