Most of us can point to specific events in our lives that have influenced us to this day and will for as long as we live. For me, one of those crucial, life-altering moments was when Rabbi Nissim, Rishon L'Tzion, then-Chief Sefaradi Rabbi of Israel, was visiting Yeshiva University in the late 1960s. I was one of the students (of Stern College) in the audience when one of the officials of Yeshiva University proudly said that they had students in Israel. HaRav Nissim quickly interrupted, saying, "B'aretz omrim: Acharai." ("In Israel we say: Follow me.")
A great dilemma, subject for debate amongst Jews, is if every Jew should move to Israel. More specific, should the Diaspora Jewish leaders, rabbis and laymen move to Israel? On the whole, most Jews in Israel feel that there's a place for every Jew here in Israel, while many in the Diaspora consider Jewish life there to be completely legitimate, complete in itself and something that must be maintained. Most of the rabbis and leaders consider themselves indispensable, irreplaceable.
The result is that most Jewish rabbinic and communal leaders stay in the Diaspora. When their rare congregant makes aliyah, the new immigrant frequently feels like an "orphan" in Israel, one of the reasons a large percentage return. I agree that in many cases these rabbis are doing fantastic work with their congregations, but that's no reason to stay in the Diaspora. They can be of more help to their congregants if they, too, come here to live.
Legendary as a rabbi who made aliyah and urged his congregation to join him in his new community is Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat. What's sad and pathetic is that two decades after his move, it is still considered unique and special. A rabbi saying "acharai" is such a rare story that Rabbi Riskin is the only one most people can give as an example. Personally, I can't think of any others. The "former American rabbis" I know of in Israel generally came after retiring or for a career change. I'd be happy to hear of other rabbis who brought part of their congregations; there must be some.
Some of those who feel themselves indispensable and irreplaceable are those working in "outreach" - kiruv - bringing Jews back to Torah Judaism. This is indeed an important calling, whether one does it as one's job or "hobby". There are Jews all over the world needing your services; unfortunately, in Israel, too. I once tried to counsel someone in that field planning or wishing to make aliyah. I suggested he teach English in an Israeli high school. It may not be as "glamorous" or "exotic" or exciting as the kiruv work people like to brag about, but, unfortunately, it's not less needed.
Years ago, I worked in marketing, and I remember being told that first priority is to keep the customers you already have. Don't damage your relationship with them in your search for new ones. Here in Israel, we need rabbis and kiruv workers, too. We shouldn't lose the "customers" we already have. There are people "waiting in the wings" for your jobs and positions in chul (the Diaspora). Give them a chance, and then, while still young and strong, after a few years, they too should make aliyah, bringing even more Jews to Israel.
As an amateur linguist, I'd venture a guess that galut, the Hebrew word for "exile" comes from the two-letter root gimmel-lamed, gal, "wave". In Hebrew, aliyah does come in "waves" from galut.
Recent news is filled with reports of overt anti-Semitism around the world. Don't wait until you're pushed into the sea. Remember the European Jewish leaders and rabbis of the 1930s who instructed and advised their congregants to stay and obey the new laws. Leaders who warned of the importance of leaving Europe were condemned and persecuted by the Jewish establishment.
Today, the situation in Israel is much easier, and even safer, than it was sixty-seventy years ago. As small as our country is, we have lots of room for all. We have cities, rural communities, suburbs and opportunities like no place else on the earth.
"V'shavu banim l'gvulam." - "And the children will return [filling the Land] to their borders."
A great dilemma, subject for debate amongst Jews, is if every Jew should move to Israel. More specific, should the Diaspora Jewish leaders, rabbis and laymen move to Israel? On the whole, most Jews in Israel feel that there's a place for every Jew here in Israel, while many in the Diaspora consider Jewish life there to be completely legitimate, complete in itself and something that must be maintained. Most of the rabbis and leaders consider themselves indispensable, irreplaceable.
The result is that most Jewish rabbinic and communal leaders stay in the Diaspora. When their rare congregant makes aliyah, the new immigrant frequently feels like an "orphan" in Israel, one of the reasons a large percentage return. I agree that in many cases these rabbis are doing fantastic work with their congregations, but that's no reason to stay in the Diaspora. They can be of more help to their congregants if they, too, come here to live.
Legendary as a rabbi who made aliyah and urged his congregation to join him in his new community is Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat. What's sad and pathetic is that two decades after his move, it is still considered unique and special. A rabbi saying "acharai" is such a rare story that Rabbi Riskin is the only one most people can give as an example. Personally, I can't think of any others. The "former American rabbis" I know of in Israel generally came after retiring or for a career change. I'd be happy to hear of other rabbis who brought part of their congregations; there must be some.
Some of those who feel themselves indispensable and irreplaceable are those working in "outreach" - kiruv - bringing Jews back to Torah Judaism. This is indeed an important calling, whether one does it as one's job or "hobby". There are Jews all over the world needing your services; unfortunately, in Israel, too. I once tried to counsel someone in that field planning or wishing to make aliyah. I suggested he teach English in an Israeli high school. It may not be as "glamorous" or "exotic" or exciting as the kiruv work people like to brag about, but, unfortunately, it's not less needed.
Years ago, I worked in marketing, and I remember being told that first priority is to keep the customers you already have. Don't damage your relationship with them in your search for new ones. Here in Israel, we need rabbis and kiruv workers, too. We shouldn't lose the "customers" we already have. There are people "waiting in the wings" for your jobs and positions in chul (the Diaspora). Give them a chance, and then, while still young and strong, after a few years, they too should make aliyah, bringing even more Jews to Israel.
As an amateur linguist, I'd venture a guess that galut, the Hebrew word for "exile" comes from the two-letter root gimmel-lamed, gal, "wave". In Hebrew, aliyah does come in "waves" from galut.
Recent news is filled with reports of overt anti-Semitism around the world. Don't wait until you're pushed into the sea. Remember the European Jewish leaders and rabbis of the 1930s who instructed and advised their congregants to stay and obey the new laws. Leaders who warned of the importance of leaving Europe were condemned and persecuted by the Jewish establishment.
Today, the situation in Israel is much easier, and even safer, than it was sixty-seventy years ago. As small as our country is, we have lots of room for all. We have cities, rural communities, suburbs and opportunities like no place else on the earth.
"V'shavu banim l'gvulam." - "And the children will return [filling the Land] to their borders."