Rabbi Abraham L. Rabinovich, Spiritual Leader of Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth
The short answer is yes; the long version is of course I am a Zionist because Zionism has been an essential part of our Jewish belief and psyche for two millennia. For centuries, we have been chanting the words of the psalmist “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither; let my tongue stick to my palate if I cease to think of you, if I do not keep Jerusalem in memory even at my happiest hour.” (Psalms 137:5-6) In our daily prayers we constantly pray for the return to Zion. We pray “May our eyes behold Your merciful return to Zion. Blessed are You, Lord, who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.”
Our dream to return to our homeland Zion has not ceased since the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. At the conclusion of the Passover Seder, we sing “NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!” We conclude our long day service on Yom Kippur with a giant Shofar blast and shouting out “NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!” Our Jewish identity is contingent on being Am Yisrael—A Jewish nation in Eretz Israel, our homeland Israel—and no one can deny us our right to establish Medinat Yisrael—the State of Israel, in our homeland, the land of our Biblical ancestors.
My father was a devoted Zionist even when he lived in the Soviet Union under the communist regime; he yearned every day to be able to be free in the Holy Land of Israel. In the early 70s, he was involved with Natan Sharansky and many others in the “Zionist Underground” movement led by a group of Jewish dissidents known as “refuseniks.” They defied official Soviet regime to promote Jewish identity, culture, and religion, and to demand the right to emigrate, primarily to Israel. Their activism took place under the constant threat of KGB surveillance and punishment.
Some of his friends even attempted to hijack a civilian aircraft on June 15, 1970 in order to escape to the West and ultimately to Israel. The plan was set in motion, but it was unsuccessful as the group was arrested by the KGB upon arrival together in Smolny Airport near Leningrad. Although this operation—the Dymshits-Kuznetsov aircraft hijacking affair, also known as The First Leningrad Trial or Operation Wedding—failed, it was a notable event in the course of the Cold War. It drew international attention, which led to the opening of the Iron Curtain and the release of several immigrants from the Soviet Union, including my family in 1971. For my dad and his fellow “refuseniks,” Judaism and Zionism were inseparable, and a Jew without Zionism was unspeakable and unthinkable. How can one be a Jew without striving for Jewish national liberation?
Tragically today, too many Jews avoid the “Z-word,” because so many Jew-haters and sadly so many Jews demonize and delegitimize Jews, Israel, and Zionism. I understand how the actions and policies of the current Israeli government are very troubling. However, the reality is that no nationalism is pure, no movement is perfect, and no state ideal. Nevertheless, Zionism remains legitimate, inspiring, and relevant. If we don’t agree with the actions of the current Israeli government, it doesn’t mean that we should abandon Zionism. Similarly, if you don’t agree with the politics of the President of the United States, you should not stop being an American patriot.
I believe that, especially now, it is important to strengthen and reconnect with our Zionist roots. We need Israel and Israel needs us now more than ever. I AM a Zionist because I am a Jew, and I will never let go of our Jewish national dream to be a free nation in our land forever and ever. Am Israel Chai!
Rabbi Peter H. Grumbacher, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Emeth
You bet I’m a Zionist. Of course, if you ask 10 Jews what a Zionist is you might receive the proverbial 11 different answers. Some might insist that to be a Zionist you must live in Israel. Others believe that financial support of the Jewish State without living there allows you to call yourself a Zionist. And others have Israel in their hearts and insist they, too, are Zionists.
I have visited Israel over 20 times, lived there once for a year and then twice during my sabbaticals, both for over two months. I support Israel financially and she is always in my heart.
Alas, she is in my heart as I write, but in many respects this Zionist is heartbroken. The values I always believed were an integral part of Judaism—and therefore should be integral to the soul of Israel—are in serious jeopardy.
Former Prime Minister Golda Meir once said, “If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we’d rather be alive and have the bad image.” Yes, but. You and I know that throughout her 77 years as an independent nation, rarely—except maybe for 10 minutes after the 1967 Six-Day war—have an overwhelming number of the world’s countries supported her. On the contrary, while other countries have initiated war against their neighbors, even torturing their citizens and killing children, the criticism they have faced pales in comparison to the ire against Israel.
The word “genocide” is the label they place on the response of Israel to the horrific attack of Hamas, yet other true genocides across the years have been ignored. Yes, I truly believe there should be a better way to conduct a war against Hamas. As a Zionist I feel it is my duty—just as it is the duty of the thousands of caring Israelis—to voice my dismay at what is going on in the “defense” of the Jewish State, but, as has been said since the establishment of the State in 1948, her enemies can lose one war after another but Israel cannot lose even once. Lose a war, lose Israel. It’s as simple as that.
As a Zionist, I truly bewail the current government of Israel. Men like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Betzalel Smotrich know that Netanyahu needs them to sustain a coalition to remain in power, but they have an attitude towards the “other,” anyone not Jewish, and certainly Palestinians and other Arabs, that question their value in this world. And that is so beyond the values we Jews have held dear. And who doesn’t question the motivation of the Prime Minister himself: does prolonging the war prolong his freedom from being tried for corruption? I don’t know and I’m sad that I even can question his motives.
As a Zionist, I am perplexed at Israel’s terrible marketing across the years! You never hear Israel brag about her accomplishments over the course of almost eight decades; what she has given the world in so many fields that have made a difference especially on the medical front; what she could offer her enemies if there was real peace. Her silence does her no good, and Zionists like me should inform others that she is not merely a paranoid entity waiting for the other shoe to fall. As opposed to her enemies whose focus is on death and destruction and who do little for their own people, Israel has always looked to help her own and to help others advance on so many non-military fronts.
There is no easy answer to the current situation. We see Jews on both the right and the left criticize Israel to the nth degree, while often knowing nothing about her. Whether she lives or dies is of no concern to far too many of our own People. It’s tough to be Zionist today, but I remain one. A proud one? The jury is still out on that.
