I Have Been Changed For Good!

I Have Been Changed For Good!
Rabbi Joshua Hoffman
Clergy Corner, March 28, 2019

This past Sunday through Tuesday, approximately 75 Valley Beth Shalom members travelled to Washington D.C. to join the gathering of some 18,000 pro-US/Israel partnership advocates at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference. It was awesome! We learned together, celebrated together, and proudly expressed our appreciation and steadfast commitment together.  We heard from the country’s most influential leadership, including top representatives of the U.S. Congress and the Israeli Knesset, and dignitaries from countries as far as Romania, Honduras, and Great Britain. Under the banner of this year’s theme “Connected for Good,” the messages of unity and unwavering support for the U.S. and Israel relationship was radiating throughout the halls of the Convention Center.

Our Valley Beth Shalom family was particularly privileged to hear from a Member of Knesset, Stav Shaffir, during our synagogue breakout session. She shared wisdom from her experience as the youngest female in history to serve in the Knesset. She spoke on great topics like religious pluralism and the role she and the Labor party will play in the upcoming elections.  Simply put, from experiences large and small, this conference is the most important gathering of the North American Jewish community every year.

There are a lot of moments that made this premier event a fabulous experience. This year, I have a few takeaways to share:

1. As always, and even more so in a conference like this, one message is clear: It’s about the people and the relationships we build together. What makes an organization like AIPAC so vital to our roles as American Jews, as Americans, is to be able to speak with those who influence the shape and character of our country and share our common values.  There was constant reinforcement that Israel is a free and democratic society - that its physical security and concerns for human dignity in all forms can be discussed and argued. Ultimately, building consensus became an explicit and concrete mission. It feels good to know that the thousands of years old mission of Jews and Judaism can be expressed in 2019 with unflinching devotion. How incredible is it that Jewish values are shared throughout the world today!

2. We are reminded of and affirm our right to advocate for support - not only to welcome partners and friends into that support, but also to redouble the Jewish people’s efforts to ensure Israel continues to thrive in the 21st century. It’s the American way! We shouldn’t underestimate that the State of Israel is still only 70 years old, so in a rapidly changing world, where loyalties are stretched and challenged every day, our duty as Americans and as Jews is to continue firmly assuring Israel and the values it strives to achieve are heard and amplified by the support of the United States of America.

3. Perhaps the most inspiring message the conference works tirelessly to reinforce is that being a force for good in the world means doing good in the world. Every place you turned in the gigantic convention center, thousands of people were moving through general sessions, breakout groups and in massive social space called, “The Village.” Every inch of the building was a hub of activity where we found countless examples of truly amazing work to better humanity. From people with disabilities, to unlikely interfaith and cross-cultural partnerships educating and empowering underprivileged youth in the world of technology, what Israel does for the world should and does bring a great sense of pride.  Watching all this goodness emanating into the world from Israel invigorates our resolve to celebrate what the Israeli people achieve each and every day. In a world where negativity and narrow thinking constantly portrays the message that our world is more difficult and more complicated, this conference reminds us that goodness and the sacred responsibility to defend human dignity can and will prevail.

Yes, there are detractors and frustrations that are not satisfied by the current work of AIPAC. If we expect AIPAC or any other organization to solve the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, to ameliorate the partisan divide in the chambers of leadership of this country, or to heal the afflictions of nearly every human society on the face of the planet alone, we will continue to be disappointed. But one message is clear, support for this organization means you are willing to participate in the ongoing, unwavering commitment to confront the issues that concern Israel, the United States and humanity.

I’ll keep coming back and I hope you will too! Now is the time to sign up for this conference next year, March 1-3, 2020. If you sign up now, there is a significant early bird discount. Don’t delay! If you are interested in joining this conference next year, please contact me or any of the other clergy at Valley Beth Shalom. We’ll get you “Connected for Good” too.