In the fall of 1993, I gathered with friends and colleagues at The Jewish Theological Seminary to witness Yitzhak Rabin, President Clinton, and Yasser Arafat sign the Oslo Accords on television. I can still feel the energy on the stage of the Feinberg Auditorium as my classmates and I, having just returned from a year of study in the Holy Land joyfully sang, danced and cried with arms around each other for the gift of that moment. This public face to face meeting and agreement between Israel and the PLO in our opening days of school brought hope for the future.
Almost three decades have passed since that early fall day. While we are still far from peace, this week brought steps towards progress in the region as Israel and the United Arab Emirates committed to normalizing relations. This is one step. There are many more to go as we follow the call of the psalmist to seek peace and pursue it (34:15) in all ways.
This week also brought the 3rd anniversary of our dear friend's aliyah to Israel. As her mother posted this morning in celebration, May you continue hugging and wrestling (author Yossi Klein Halevi's words) with our homeland. My family and I are so proud of this young woman for following her call to Israel, serving in the army with distinction and devoting time and energy to Israel's national food bank. We can't wait to see how her life will unfold.
What I've been thinking about most as we enter the 22nd week of coronatimes is this reference to hugging and wrestling. For most of us, physical hugging is no longer part of our daily lives. We remain distanced in space and time. Yet, our commitment to showing up for one another and drawing close to what is most important as we struggle -- like our ancestor Jacob did, giving rise to our people's name Israel through blessing -- holds the practice of hugging close what is most significant.
In these difficult times, it is important to take things step by step and hug with our hearts. Remembering what it feels like to hug and dance and sing in the midst of the struggle helps too. May we continue to extend our arms to one another from afar for as long as it takes. One day, I know we'll get there.
Shabbat Shalom,
rg
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
