Interfaith Mission Day One: Holy Jerusalem

 Interfaith Mission Day One

Holy Jerusalem

Today we arrived in Israel at 5:40 a.m. after an overnight flight from Newark.  

The drive to the hotel at that time of day was ridiculously quick - With the 8 lane highways, and two new bypass tunnels into the city free of traffic.  I checked in, dropped my bags, freshened up and headed out for our day!

First we went to the Friends of Zion Museum in the central city.  After the long flight, the 20 minute walk did me good!  The FOZ museum was uniquely focused on Christian individuals who believed in the creation of the Jewish State in the early days of political zionism.  It is not sufficiently recognized that Christian allies to the Jewish people played critical and strategic rolls in gaining widespread support for the idea of a Jewish Homeland in the Ottoman provincial area of Palestine, and later under the British Mandate.

Their reasons were most often religious, as they read the promises of Isaiah, Amos, Ezekiel and more that the Jewish People would return to their land and receive God's blessings there.  For these Christian Zionists, the testimony of their own religion was undeniable.  Judaism has a long and ancient connection in the land which, God promised, would be reestablished in our days.

    

At lunch we met with Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, the outgoing deputy mayor of Jerusalem, in the Old City.  Her vision of a shared society between the Arab population and the various religious and non-religious groups of Jews in the city was pragmatic and refreshing.  Beginning with social services, infrastructure and education, Ms. Hassan-Fleur painted a picture of ongoing achievements at the local level that should make national leaders think twice about grandiose strategies and talking points.  Jerusalem remains the most diverse, and largest city in the country.

From there we toured the ancient stones of the Western Wall plaza, Robinson's arch, and the new archaeology near the Davidson Center.  

Our amazing staff member from JF/GMW is Stephanie Abrahms.

Walking on the same paving stones that Hillel, Shammai, and Jesus walked on was a powerful experience for many in the group.  from there we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with its divisions and decisions to use a shared space between a half-dozen Christian denominations.  We reflected on the complexities of a shared society both then and in our own days.

In the Church, we came to appreciate that Jesus was buried in Jewish fashion - washed and interred like all Jews.  As we contemplated a marble slab traditionally understood to be where Jesus's body was washed and prepared, we reflected on the Jewish communal obligation to bury the dead - especially the poor and unclaimed who may have been executed or died without family.  The Chesed of Jewish observance, was clearly present in the Christian recounting of the burial rituals and we reflected on the idea that the sanctity of the body p even of a potential disruptor or heretic - would have been incumbent upon the communal leaders. We asked ourselves, what can we learn about our sacred obligations towards each other, even in times of disagreement or conflict?

At dinner we were honored by Editor in Chief of the Times of Israel, David Horowitz, to give us - especially our newcomers - a briefing on the current situation in Israel.  Our group was not shy!

 

Questions of a shared society, and the tenor of Israeli Arab Citizens were explored, with a good deal of optimism.  Hamas killed and captured many moslems (especially Beduins) in their dastardly attacks.  The typical Arab Israeli understands that they are not led or represented by Hamas and its hateful violence.

Following clergy conversations about faith and hope, we retired to our rooms for the night.

Tomorrow.... we drive south for the difficult and sacred obligation to meet with survivors, hostages and their families, and to see the sites of attack and hope that surround this terrible time in our people's history.  More on that tomorrow.

Laila Tov!!

And none of this would have been possible without to complete support, sponsorship and advocacy of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, who funded, designed and led this remarkable experience.

Please consider supporting the Jewish Federation here.  GMW Donations

Gratefully Submitted by,

Rabbi Robert L Tobin

Rosh Chodesh Tevet, 5785

January, 2025