Page 31 - HaMizrachi Rosh HaShana - Yom Kippur 5783 USA

programs for them. Though I commend the Charedi they have time to build communities and reap the
community for its holy work, I am concerned that in fruit of their labor.
many Latin American communities, only one form We must work with great love to seek out Jews who
of Torah Judaism is available: Orthodox Judaism are not part of the Jewish community and help them
that ignores the existence of the State of Israel.
discover the power of a Religious Zionist life – a way
I am worried, for the Religious Zionist leaders in of life that is deeply meaningful and inspiring and
Latin America are at a loss. Yeshivah day schools are which holds the power to bring thousands of Jews
shrinking while the economic burden of sustaining closer to their heritage. And we must work with
these institutions continues to grow. There are few generous philanthropists to ensure the teachings
spiritual leaders fluent in Spanish who represent of Religious Zionism continue to be taught in shuls,
Religious Zionism, and so Charedi rabbis are schools and youth movements.
assuming educational leadership positions within A todo lugar a donde voy me dirijo a Eretz Israel
the communities. The community of La Casa can also show us
another way forward. One of the highlights of the
I’m worried because I see the loneliness of the conference was our meeting with the beit sefer
Religious Zionist leaders. They are alone. They have l’shlichut, the Shlichut Training Academy of the La
taken responsibility and placed the burden of the Casa community – a group of young, local Jews in
future of the community upon their shoulders, and their twenties who have taken it upon themselves
they feel a severe sense of failure. Their beautiful to become shlichim. Though they are not Israeli, they Everywhere I go I am going to Eretz Yisrael
communities are disappearing on their watch. understand that at times like these, everyone must be
I am worried because it is difficult to find shlichim a shaliach. We must all do everything in our power to
who will agree to go on shlichut for several years strengthen our communities’ Zionist and religious
to serve as rabbis of Zionist communities, school identity.
principals, and teachers. And I know that we When Rabbi David and Rabbanit Sarah return to
find it difficult to support the leaders of these Israel, who will continue their work? Will others
communities. step up to take their place, to strengthen the Jews
I’m worried – but I am not discouraged! who are not yet ready to make Aliyah? Who will be
there to reach out to the unaffiliated, to welcome
Yes, it is our duty, as the representatives of Religious them with a loving smile to the Religious Zionist
Zionism around the world, to continue to proudly community?
fly the flag of Aliyah. But we can only do so by also
flying another flag, with the same intensity – the This is our challenge. It is a challenge we must
flag of strengthening Jewish communities in the answer with self-sacrifice and dedication, and with
Diaspora. We must dedicate ourselves, with equal love for our fellow Jews who need our help. For if we
passion, to both of these causes! do not, Aliyah from these communities will soon dry
up, and we will no longer be able to sing “everywhere
To accomplish this, we must do all in our power I go I am going to Eretz Yisrael.” Let us answer the call!
to inspire idealistic Religious Zionists in Israel to
dedicate several years of their lives to shlichut in the Roi Abecassis is Head of the Center for Religious Affairs
Diaspora. Instead of serving for 2–3 years, we must in the Diaspora at the World Zionist Organization and a
encourage shlichim to serve for 5–10 years, so that representative of World Mizrachi in the national institutions.
לארשי ץראל ךלוה ינא ךלוה ינאש םוקמ לכ

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