Educators and rabbis convened at a seminar sponsored by Machon Meir in Jerusalem this week, spotlighting the topic of "Face-to-Face" - meeting Israelis in their homes and re-introducing them to observant Zionist Jews and observant Judaism.
Rabbi Cohen, the head of the Beit Moriah Kollel in Be'er Sheva, said, "In today's world, taking up more space and attention than before is the 'individual.' We must talk the language the people speak, and show that we are on the same side. We must work on the simple fundamentals that we are familiar with from our upbringing and study, and turn them into the inalienable assets of the entire nation."
A recent phenomenon in religious-Zionist circles can be noted every Friday in many cities throughout Israel. Two or three youths set up a table in a public area - often outside the store of a willing store-owner - and offer Sabbath candles, tefillin and a smile to passers-by. Conversations that are struck up often lead to an appointment for further study on Jewish topics.
In one story among many, yeshiva students in Jerusalem went one step further. They decided to set up a Sabbath table on Friday night in a central area usually frequented by youths with nowhere else to go. After overcoming initial awkwardness on the part of both the "regulars" and the "visitors" clad in their Sabbath-best white shirts, the sincerity and joyous singing of the latter won out. After the breaking of the ice came discussions of substance. "Why don't you come back every week?" the yeshiva students were asked - and they said they would.
"We must fight ignorance by adding knowledge," Rabbi Cohen said. "We must increase much faith and confidence by coming with true love of our fellow neighbors... We see this process happening in Be'er Sheva; with an integration of the forces of all the yeshivot there, we will succeed in leading a process of dissemination of faith and Judaism throughout the country."