By Rabbi David
Last night, I saw Rabbi Arik Asherman, the Israeli-American head of Rabbis for Human Rights, speak at an event jointly sponsored by Kehilla, Temple Beth El and TempleSinai. Rabbi Arik is known for leading RHR’s work in defense of the disenfranchised in Israel and in the occupied territory. He spoke modestly and rationally, but with underlying passion, about how the occupation is undermining Israeli and Jewish values while it deforms the life of those who live under it.
But doesn’t the occupation at least improve the security of Israel?
The Gatekeepers (an Oscar nominee) documents all the past living Israeli security chiefs—no bleeding heart rabbis here—who, to a man, argue from their own experience and inside information that the occupation is hurting Israel’s security and must be ended, preferably sooner rather than later.
I have stated before that the occupation is the single greatest test of Jewish ethics and morality of the modern era, but it is also a practical disaster.
This film is part of a series of forums and films our Middle East Peace Committee is holding so that we as a congregation can consider what we need to do as individuals and as a community to contribute to Israeli-Palestinian peace, security and justice. These presentations are attracting large crowds and I encourage you to find out what the buzz is all about. If you have seen the movie before, come see it again with your community where we can discuss the issues it raises together.