Articles

On May 8th the world will mark the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. The defeat of Nazi Germany by the allied forces marked a historic moment, not only ending the Second World War in Europe but ultimately ending the genocide of European Jewry.

American Jewry is experiencing a revolutionary moment as we face the onslaught of a significant set of demographic, political and structural challenges. In prior articles both on these pages and elsewhere, I have laid out these transformational issues.

Recently, I received a call from my high school reunion committee chairperson inquiring in her wonderful Southern drawl if I would be coming to our 65th reunion! Politely declining, as I have never been back to any of these prior gatherings, in true form I retained my distance from that period in my life.

This coming week, as the CCAR gathers in Chicago for its 136 annual Conference, there are numerous challenges but also opportunities that face the American rabbinate.

This is the essential moment for the Central Conference of American Rabbis, requiring it to be a strategic and public player in moving our community forward. At no other time, since the period of the Second World War, will our clergy play such a critical role, being called upon to be thought leaders, active defenders of our democracy, and visionary voices for Israel, our movement, and the Jewish people.

Six Factors Framing US Policy:

We are experiencing a revolution in American foreign policy behavior. Posted below are some of the driving elements designed to reshape this new and evolving political model:

Confronted as we are by divisive national politics and serious generational and policy divisions around Israel, along with an array of religious and cultural differences among us, this is the moment for serious and managed conversations that Jewish Americans, among others, have been craving.

There is a deep paralysis in our country today, as many are struggling to first understand and to then to act in the aftermath of these first four weeks of our new administration. This tsunami of actions has upended our basic democratic norms and political culture.

This first week of the Trump Presidency may have represented the most significant transformation of government policy and power that this nation has ever seen in such a short order. Where many presidents seek to reset the culture in advance of introducing new policies and actions, this president has launched a revolution of change from the outset.

We are likely to experience the beginnings of a second American revolution on Monday, January 20th. Donald Trump is more than merely a politician; in fact, he is in so many ways a counter-cultural symbol of the political world that he is about to inherit again.

The core imperative of every community professional is to ensure the security and well-being of their community. Our tradition speaks to this sacred principle:

“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily, your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Eternal shall be your rear guard.