Page 24 - HaMizrachi #27 Purim USA 2021

GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Omer Yankelevich

Our Time to Come Together

t’s a striking moment in the Purim language with shared goals. With these living mandate can advance us as we tell
story when Mordechai, scared and tools, we will have the ability to engage a new narrative of the Jewish people; one
Idressed in sackcloth, calls on Esther where there are differences of opinion. rooted in our shared past and inspired
to make a choice: by our shared future.
“If you keep silent in this crisis, relief The eternal bond of history, text and tra-
and deliverance will come to the Jews dition that links the Jewish people must Today, the Jewish people face a dilemma,
similar to Esther’s. We can choose to
from another quarter, while you and return to the forefront. Ultimately, we
your father’s house will perish; and who are connected by our fundamental mis- turn inwards, or we can proactively –
knows whether you have not come to sion to be a light unto the nations and to and perhaps uncomfortably – reach out.
your royal position for a time such as provide a vision of a better tomorrow. This bold movement requires the col-
this?” (Esther 4:14). While the Jews of the Purim story were lective participation of rabbis, leaders,
communities small and large, and every
Esther, forced to quickly grapple with spread across 127 different provinces, individual to effectuate Our Common
the gravity of Haman’s wicked plot to they were unified “in their own script Destiny.
annihilate the Jewish people, is given and language” (8:9), and connected by
a choice. She can continue to focus a common goal. Each and every one of As Mordechai challenged Esther, “Who
inwards and fall back on the excuse of us today is called upon to revitalize the knows whether we have not come to our
not yet being “called to come to the king” mutual responsibility, solidarity and position for a time such as this?”
(4:11), or she can use her vital position respectful dialogue that unified the
in the service of her people. Jewish people throughout the gener-
ations. By reaching out and building Omer Yankelevitch is Israel’s Minister of
In the end, Esther chooses the bold bridges, we forge a stronger, more con- Diaspora Affairs.
path, courageously confronting King nected people bonded by a collective
Achashverosh and Haman. Her initiative purpose.
ultimately enables the Jewish people to
unify and prevail. Our Common Destiny, a declaration
published a few months ago, is a
Esther’s brave leadership has continued joint initiative of the President
to inspire the Jewish people in the most of Israel, the Ministry of
trying of times. Faced with Hamans of Diaspora Affairs and the
our own, the Purim story teaches us to Genesis Philanthropy
come together as a community in the Group. It provides
face of adversity. a valuable foun-
Today, in the backdrop of external dation to build
threats, we, the Jewish people, face upon. Written
internal challenges as tensions and dis- and signed by
agreements threaten to tear us apart. Jewish leaders
This is best personified in the ongoing and thinkers
discourse regarding the growing gap from around
between Israel and world Jewry, a people the world, it
meant to be one but separated by geog- lays out our
raphy, culture and beliefs. Let us heed shared story
Esther’s call, “Go gather all the Jews” and principles
(4:16). Our responsibility is to over- to guide our
come this divide and build a common actions. This

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