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with that. The moment that tension is of people’s lives; we grew up together the Land of Israel, you aren’t entering
lost, G-d forbid, we lose the battle. as families. But once I left, I was gone; a foreign land, but rather a land prom-
I’m not the go-to guy anymore. That ised to someone before you. When Klal
Diaspora Religious Zionists must also is something I miss. I also miss the
appreciate that they live in a vastly communal involvement, the national Yisrael left the desert and entered the
different world from Israeli Religious involvement. But I have also found that Land of Israel for the first time, they
Zionists. All too often, we treat Israel there are other ways to make a mark. I were receiving a legacy from their
like Disneyland. We go on the Kotel am fortunate to have many opportuni- forefathers. And so the land was much
ride, the Masada ride, eat some sha- ties to continue teaching and speaking more precious to them, like a treasured
warma, buy some presents at the gift in Israel, and I welcome the opportu- heirloom received from a beloved rel-
shop and go home to America. But nity to continue to write. ative. Wherever you go in the Land of
while American Jews talk about the Israel, whatever site you visit, you feel
colleges their kids are going to, Israeli that sense of legacy, that this is a land
parents talk about which units in the You have long been a careful stu- that was promised to your forefathers,
army their kids are going to. I once told dent of the Chumash, as readers of a land that is deeply yours.
the shul that they must understand “Unlocking the Torah Text,” your But it also flows the other way. In
that a secular mother in Haifa who study of the weekly parasha, have Parashat Pinchas, the equation used to
sends her son to the army has more seen firsthand. Has your Aliyah expe- divide the land is very complex, factor-
of a right to determine the borders rience, and now living in the Land of ing in not only the people who entered
of Israel than we do! Recognizing the Israel, shed any light on your under- the land but also those who left Egypt
parameters of partnership with Israel standing of the Torah? many years earlier. When you go into
is another Diaspora challenge.
The Torah comes alive when you move the land, you’re not just going in; you’re
to Israel. One of the key things I often carrying those who came before you on
Why did you choose to make Aliyah think about is yerusha, heritage. One of your shoulders. In Israel, you recognize
when you did? the reasons G-d begins the Torah, and that you’re not just there for yourself.
Jewish history itself, with the era of The efforts you make to be there are
Barbara has always yearned to make the forefathers and foremothers, and not just for you but for the millions of
Aliyah more than I did. Before my last not with the national era, is to create Jews throughout the ages that you are
contract, we made a deal and agreed the concept of legacy. When you enter carrying with you. n
that when the contract was completed
and I was 65 years old, we would make
Aliyah. Truthfully, as we got closer to
the end of the contract, I felt I wasn’t
yet ready to retire. I was at the top of
my game, the Shul was growing and
strong, and I didn’t want to give it up.
But my wife and children said to me,
“leave while most of the people still
want you to stay!” They were very
wise; I left at the right point, and I came
to Israel at a stage where I could still
contribute.
My good friend Rabbi Lenny Matanky
said this interview should be called:
“How I Went on Aliyah Because My Wife
Made Me Go!”

The Rabbinate is an all-encompassing
job; there is little separation between
your personal life and your profes-
sion. What have you missed since
your retirement? What have you
enjoyed most about your newfound
freedom?
I miss being in the mix and making a
difference. We were an important part Rabbi Shmuel and Barbara Goldin being greeted by family at Ben Gurion airport having made Aliyah.

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