Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to rise up. The polarity in Israel reached a new low over the last few months. While many people are upset about the judicial reforms, in one direction or another, many are even more upset about the enormous rift that was created as a result of all the fighting. There is a growing group of individuals who have decided to actively do something to calm the atmosphere and bridge the gap between the camps.
There are currently small group meetings taking place all over the country enabling the various sectors of our society to meet and conduct respectful dialogue while getting to know one another on a personal level. The goal of these discussion groups is for people to hear and open their hearts to understand the hurt, pain, and frustration experienced by those on the other side of the divide. People are opening their homes for this purpose in the style of “zikaron ba’salon (living room),” a small and intimate way of keeping alive personal stories of the Holocaust as well as memories of IDF soldiers who fell, by inviting people into one’s salon to hear their story. The current meetings are meant to promote “chazon (vision) or tikvah (hope) ba’salon.”
A meeting took place in Yerushalayim last week with 20-30 participants with differing views regarding the judicial reforms. Participants learned that external appearances do not always determine someone’s approach to the reforms. They also learned that each side is filled with pain and fear. Natan and Avital Sharansky were present at this particular meeting. They explained what it is like to truly live under a dictatorship, something very far from the situation in Israel.
I am a member of a new WhatsApp group, close to 300 members strong and growing, called “Achim Anachnu – Achdut Yisrael,” (We Are Brothers – Unity of Israel”). Even with Pesach just days away, the messages come in all day and night. The group is comprised of people who recognize that we are all brothers despite our differences, and we need to understand and love one another.
The group is planning a major event on Chol HaMoed at Ganei Yehoshua Park HaYarkon in Tel Aviv called, “Kulanu b’oto sirah (We are all in the same boat).” Protesters and judicial reform supporters are invited to enjoy music, discussions, and boating. They are hoping for a crowd of 10,000, which will include kibbutznikim, settlers, Tel-Avivians, secular, traditional, chareidim, dati-leumi, and anyone else who cares about unity. They are asking organizers to bring lawn mats, which will provide an area for a particular focus: discussion, music, games, activities for children, etc. Visitors will be able to choose which area most speaks to them.
Many other initiatives are taking place throughout the country. The children of one family distributed candy one day to security forces, street cleaners, tz’dakah collectors, and anyone who looked sad. Yeshivat Orot HaZra’im baked yeast cakes, wrapped them nicely along with a note, and gave them out to kibbutznikim. Some boys hung a sign stating, “Et achai anochi mevakesh (It is my brother whom I’m asking for).” People davened at the Kosel for unity in Israel. Someone wrote a special prayer for the sake of unity and for the correction of the judicial system. Another recent initiative to express solidarity is a request that people buy food from the kibbutzim and the settlements of Yehudah and Shomron and distribute them to the needy in Yerushalayim, Gush Dan, and Yehudah and Shomron.
So many people believe that unity is more important than fixing the judicial system right now. Or at the very least, while the politicians fight it out, citizens on the right and the left can become more aware and sympathetic to one another. Then we can work together as a family to fix what needs fixing.
Let’s hope that all of these beautiful initiatives will bear fruit and their goals will be achieved.
Chag Kasher V’Samei’ach!
Suzie Steinberg, CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
