Page 37 - Jewish News_Sept2021

COMMENTARY September 2021 37A

Off-Broadway compelling Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

assumes control of Israel’s government

cuted precisely down to the second.
A few years ago, I witnessed the By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
performance of a show by a group of or the past 12 years, Benjamin understand who they are doing busi- ing themselves and making clear the the name of good. We are one people.”
developmentally disabled young peo- Netanyahu has served as Prime ness with. These guys are murderers, views of the new leadership. It is hoped that this belief will echo
ple. There was decidedly little polish FMinister of Israel. He had hoped mass murderers, a regime of brutal Will the government succeed or throughout the state and that Israel will
or precision. But what an abundance to continue in that office after the most hangmen who must never be allowed will it fail, thus leading to a new elec- continue to be the beacon of democra-
of spirit and determination they dis- recent election, but the coalition of to have weapons of mass destruction. tion? It is the hope of the Israeli people cy in the Middle East.
played. Tears welled in my eyes watch- Yamini leader Naftali Bennett, and Israel’s position will not change on that the Bennett-led government will Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
ing them try so earnestly to remember Yesh Atid, with chairman Yair Lapid, this.” reach out to all Israelis as the Prime ing chair of the Robert and Esther
lines and make their way on stage. and the joining of eight dif- Prime Minister Ben- Minister stated. “I assure you this is Heller Community Relations Commit-
In the audience, parents and sib- ferent political parties was nett will benefit from a government that will work for the tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
lings brimmed with pride. When, at enough to take control of the outreach of the Net- sake of all the people. We are here in
the performance’s conclusion, the ac- the government. Thus, Is- anyahu regime to foreign
tors received an extended standing rael’s 36 government was countries. Today, more Why WE belong
th
ovation, beaming, broad smiles broke sworn in with Bennett be- countries have established
out among them. I’m grateful that the coming Israel’s 13 Prime diplomatic relations with
th
pure, moving and cathartic moment Minister and, in two years, Israel than ever before. This campus represents an
has stayed strongly with me. Lapid will become the Four Arab countries – the extraordinary opportunity
th
When Shakespeare famously state’s 14 Prime Minister. United Arab Emirates, to educate young people
wrote, “All the world’s a stage… And The question now is, Bahrain, Morocco and on what is important to
one man in his time plays many parts,” how will the new govern- Rabbi Howard A. Simon Sudan – have joined with the Jewish community.
he understood that the human drama ment present itself to the United States Kosovo and Bhutan in a determination What we do today will
demands we assume a range of roles. and the world? The belief is that Prime to work with Israel to strengthen the al- reflect our place in our
Sometimes, however, rather than Minister Bennett will be less boister- liances that now exist.
defining these roles, we can come in- ous and will be more apt to speak in Bennett will continue to deal with country for generations
to come.
creasingly to be defined by them. This confidence with the leaders of the the Palestinian problem and what the
occurs when we begin to feel trapped world rather than voicing his opinions relationship will be with Hamas and Bob and Esther Heller
in our jobs, relationships and outlook. as a take-it-or-leave-it position. Hezbollah. THE BOB & ESTHER HELLER
ISRAEL CENTER
We experience an absence of personal The reality is that the major prob- Israel’s new government looks for-
investment in what we say and do. lem facing Israel will not change with ward to a positive relationship with the
From a distance, all may look in a new leader. Iran, and its quest for Biden administration and to the oppor-
order as the curtain rises. Yet, though nuclear weapons, remains the number tunity to share opinions dealing with
we may have our lines down perfectly, one concern for Israel. Prime Minis- the major concerns that face the two
we can still be emotionally and spiritu- ter Bennett’s reaction to the election countries when dealing with Russia,
ally immobilized. of Ebrahim Raisi as the new Iranian the Middle East and China.
The High Holy Days provide an in- President sounded very much like a The Bennett government will pres-
termission in our stage work so that we Netanyahu response. Bennett stated ent a new face to the world. Whereas in
might consider our parts more closely “Raisi’s election is the last chance for the past, Benjamin Netanyahu was the
in order that we might live our lives the world powers to wake up before re- voice of Israel, this new government JFEDSRQ.org/ProudStrong
with greater sincerity. turning to the nuclear agreement, and to will have a variety of leaders express-
Like the preacher in the story, the
children I saw on stage knew their
hearts as well as their roles. It made all
the difference.
Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the
Community Chaplain and Director of
the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His FOLLOW
position is underwritten by The Jewish
Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.
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