August 2020

D'var Torah- Shabbat

Shabbat Shalom!

Thank you to the American Zionist Movement, a coalition of American Zionist organizations, for creating this wonderful opportunity to link our Breishit Torah Readings with a Shabbat Celebration focusing on Zionism. Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is inextricably linked to . It is often said that there is no Israel without , and there is no Jerusalem without Hadassah. As an organization founded by and for Zionist women, our focus is connecting and empowering women to build a world where our Jewish values create an enduring Israel. Our founder, called for practical Zionism, proactive work to help meet the health needs of Palestine's people. Hadassah promoted the Zionist ideal through education, public health, and the training of nurses in what was then called Palestine. An organization that began as a small mission to provide emergency care to infants and mothers in pre-state Israel, flourished over a century into two world-class medical and research centers in Jerusalem.

Hadassah began by collecting money and sending two nurses to Palestine in 1913 to provide pasteurized milk to infants and new mothers, and to eradicate trachoma, an easily cured eye disease, that was robbing thousands of sight. At the dawn of the Holocaust in Europe, in the 1930s, it evolved to rescue thousands of Jewish children and bring them to safety in Palestine through Youth . Henrietta personally met every boat as it arrived. Hadassah still to this day supports Youth Aliyah villages for at-risk children in Israel.

In addition to its longstanding focus on practical Zionism, Hadassah remains dedicated to the ideology that brought the original dream of a Jewish state to fruition. Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., holds a firm commitment to the Jerusalem Program, the official platform of the World Zionist Organization and the international Zionist movement. The Jerusalem Program proclaims Zionism as the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, which brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future. Hadassah has always been and remains proudly committed to the Zionist cause.

Today, Zionism continues to play an important role for Hadassah and its members. Through renewed and strengthened education, advocacy, and discourse we are committed to proudly declaring our Zionism and in doing so, creating a safe space to interact with and educate the wider public on Zionism. Hadassah recognizes that many in our community are passionate when we discuss Israel and are deeply committed to individual ideas for how best to support and defend the Jewish homeland. In order to ensure that there is room for all members of the Jewish community to join the discussion, we must listen and respect those who share opinions that differ from our own and emphasize what unites us— shared identity, love of Israel, and commitment to Jewish traditions and values. What unites us is much greater than what divides us. So why dedicate a Shabbat to exploring the connections between Zionism and our Breishit Torah readings? If we examine Bereshit and its chapters, Bereshit talks about a connection to the . As a Jewish people, we have always had a connection to this land—The land of Eretz Yisrael. We do not make a claim to land in Africa or somewhere else. It is Eretz Yisrael – our beloved Israel that we claim as ours. Literally, as the Hebrew translation Bereshit means “in the beginning,” Eretz Yisrael was always meant to be our home. It is an integral part of our beginning as the Jewish people – the place we longed for as depicted in Hatikvah, the national anthem of Israel – to be a free people – in our land – the land of Zion.

In Parashat Lech Lecha, in chapter 13, verse 9, reads “Is not all the land before you? Please part from me; if you go left, I will go right, and if you go right, I will go left”. As Jewish men and women, we have had a connection to the land of Israel from the beginning. Rashi comments specifically on this phrase, “is not all the land before you”, interpreting this to mean: “wherever you dwell, I will not distance myself from you, and I will stand by you as a protector and helper”. Hadassah which was created in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, has for nearly 110 years served as both a protector and a helper to the people of Israel.

In 2020 we may not have a way to physically go to Israel but we have many ways of connection virtually to the land. Each connection to Israel – whether it be in person or virtual, is a new connection to our land and its story.

Our American Zionist Shabbat project for Fall 2020 falls during the period when we read Parshiot Lech Lecha to Vayishlach. The specific chapters in Bereshit talk about the different people living in the land of Israel – and Arabs. When we think about how we are tied to the land of Israel, we must also think about how we are tied to the people living there. Some may have family or friends in Israel. We hear many stories of people connecting and turning strangers into friends by talking with them on the bus or in the shuk. Hadassah’s hospitals have always taken great pride in employing and treating everyone, regardless of religion or ethnicity. This model is now spreading across Israel as a model of shared society and Hadassah lifts up these voices and stories to cultivate the next generation of Zionist leaders. These stories are told in the podcast “The Branch” which highlights every month the relationship between one Arab and one Jew. It is a model for all of us. We must focus on what unites us and cultivate it regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Eretz Yisrael continues to be a beacon of hope for all who dwell there. We cannot just pray for peace – we must pursue it.

Im tirtzu. Though Herzl’s famous phrase means “If you will it”, we aren’t just “willing it” at Hadassah, we are actively making connections to the land of Israel through our Zionism. Whether it be through cutting-edge medical breakthroughs and treatments at Hadassah Medical Organization, listening to friendships and connections forged between Jews and Arabs through The Branch, watching children grow and succeed in Hadassah’s Youth Villages, or planning our first or 50th trip to Israel. Hadassah and its members are strong advocates for Israel and we are letting our voices and actions be heard. Hadassah has always encouraged discussing Zionism from a personal perspective, and as proud members of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of American, we will always show our support for Israel. Through Hadassah, we encourage others to find their own personal connections to the land and people, and to always share their pride for Israel. Hadassah was there before Israel was a state, Hadassah has always been there in support of Israel, and Hadassah will always be there In Support of Israel

Proud to Be a Zionist!