NETZER AUSTRALIA'S We acknowledge the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) and Wathaurung (Wadawurrung) peoples and the Gadigal and Guring-gai peoples of the Eora Nation, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this newsletter was edited. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. JUNE CHINUCH NEWSLETTER SIVAN - TAMMUZ 5780 Israel Update Ultimately, for Palestinians from the West Bank, Ben Krieser, travelling through Jordan is the only way to get back to the West Bank. With current circumstances, however, 27/05/20 flights into Jordan have shut down for non-citizens, and Well, it has been an insane month in Israel from even with a Jordanian passport, other cases will take the 7th of Iyyar to the 9th of Sivan. It all is an precedence. immediate reaction to the end of last month with multiple demonstrations surrounding issues As discussed in last month's newsletter, the power- such as financial compensation for workers, sharing deal between Benny Gantz and Benjamin demanding tighter restrictions and of course the Netanyahu was sworn in, causing an avalanche of talk of the town, Benjamin Netanyahu. We will outrage and demonstrations. Protests included that of discuss Bibi later, but this is the first full month the 3rd of May outside the Jerusalem High Court, that Israel has had since restrictions were calling on the justices to block indicted Prime Minister loosened surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Benjamin Netanyahu from leading the next government. On the other side of politics, hundreds of Netanyahu’s The original restrictions put in place in March supporters have held protests to claim that their leader were strict lockdown measures including barring is being persecuted. On the 18th of May, after a 3-day citizens from leaving a 100-metre radius of their delay due to infighting in cabinet posts, 3 elections and homes unless absolutely necessary. Then, on the over 500 days of political paralysis, the ‘unity’ 4th of May, Netanyahu held a press conference government was finally sworn in. Netanyahu will serve regarding the ease of lockdown restrictions. This the first 18 months, and following this, Gantz, who in included a decision to lift the 100-metre limits, the interim is serving as deputy PM, will take over. and a streamlined plan to ease citizens back to relatively normal gatherings. Groups not exceeding 50 individuals are permitted in outside areas. Gatherings of 100 people will be allowed by May 31, and the Government hopes to cancel all crowding restrictions on June 14, enabling the opening of theatres, restaurants and other businesses. A couple wearing masks for protection against the spread of the coronavirus hold Israeli flags during a protest against the government and corruption. Source: AP While a sense of relief has come from the assurance of no more rounds of Knesset elections, this feeling is greatly overshadowed by the commencement of Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial. Netanyahu’s corruption charges regard alleged instances of bribery, fraud and breach of trust (Case 1000, 2000 & 4000). Entering the Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip gathered at the border wall separating the Jerusalem District Court with a mask on, Netanyahu is region from Egypt last Monday to demand that the Rafah crossing be reopened to let Palestinians stranded in Egypt return to Gaza. the first standing Israeli PM to face trial in history. As it Credit: Adel Hana/Associated Press commenced in the Jerusalem District Court, the trial Also, a focus of recent news is a number of was backdropped by thousands of protestors both for Palestinian people who have been stuck and against Netanyahu. Israeli police blocked the studying abroad, unable to fly back to Israel or roads and separated protestors so that they could not be repatriated. Studies show that 6,000 view or confront each other. The trial is suspected to Palestinians stuck abroad have made contact last for years, with the next court appearance with Palestinian, Jordanian and Egyptian scheduled for November. A long and hard road for the authorities. Israeli government lies ahead. A Comment On Australian Jewish Youth Movements Against Annexation Lior Kalisse You may have noticed that on Monday (25th of May) we stood in solidarity with our fellow left-leaning movements in Habo and Hashi to publicly condemn Israel’s plan to possibly annex up to 30% of the West Bank. For many reasons, all of which you most likely have read in the statement itself, we thought it was crucial to draw this line in the sand and ensure Netzer was on the right side. The decision, made within the Federal Hanhagah was not one that was taken lightly or without an idea of what our objectives were after releasing the statement. Much of this year’s agenda has been about putting our values into action. It’s why we launched/will be launching TOC, it’s why we think establishing an aliyah framework must be central to Netzer’s future and it’s why we have pursued facilitating the opening of a Tamar (Netzer’s young adult movement - exists in other countries) branch in Australia via the UPJ. We know that without proper follow up, persistence and planning these kinds of statements will only fall flat. Solidarity alone has never been and will never be enough. This is why Liat, Michael S and I wrote a sincere and scathing letter to the UPJ, senior figures of every Progressive body and community in the region urging them to reconsider the need to appear ‘apolitical’. Since, we have received very positive feedback and we hope that this will ignite some conversation in the Proggy j-com not only on the topic itself but also the community’s stand on politics altogether. Changing hearts and minds is a long process and the effort we began with this statement will outlive all our times as Netzer Bogrimot. One note I’ll finish on is that unlike any other movement we have a seat at the table of our community (via the UPJ) and we’re being heard and taken more than seriously. I said earlier this year (Gibush-sem via video) that the future of our community is really in our hands like no other movement in Australia. This now, could not be more the case! It would be wasteful to miss such an epic opportunity to shape the future in our image. You’ll hear more on this in the future at seminars and possibly fed mo so stay tuned. Much love, Lior This Month in June 13th: B’haalot’cha In Parsha B‘haalot’cha, the Levites are told they are to be of assistance to Aaron and his sons. It is also outlined that those who were unable to Proggy J commemorate Passover in the month of Nisan, are given the time of Sivan to celebrate and observe a “second Passover” (9:1-14). A cloud by day and fire by night signify God's Presence over the Tabernacle June 6th: Naso II (altar), and when the cloud lifts from the Tabernacle, the people leave Sinai, setting out on In Parshat Naso II, God outlines the Nazarite their journey, tribe by tribe. Vow, in which one is prohibited from cutting one’s hair and drinking alcohol. As an extension The Israelites then complain about the lack of meat of the Nazarite Vow, God also prohibits any they are receiving and with this Moses becomes man or woman from being tainted by the body deeply frustrated. God instructs Moses to appoint a of a corpse. It is also in this portion that God council of 70 elders for assistance and when God shows Moses how to teach Priestly Blessings does eventually supply the people with meat, he upon Aaron and his sons (6:22-27). Naso II also strikes them with a severe plague. Miriam and Aaron states that Moses consecrates the Sanctuary, in also speak of Moses’ wife, a “Cushian woman”, and which tribal chieftains present holy offerings, they complain that God speaks not only through followed by Moses congregating with God in Moses, but through them. the Tent of Meeting (7:1-89). "Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married: 'He married a Cushite woman!' They said, 'Has the Eternal spoken Points to Ponder only through Moses? Has God not spoken through us as well?' The Eternal heard it." (Num. 12:1-2) In such dire times as this current global pandemic, the average citizen is faced with more constraints and physical limitations more than ever. Whilst they may not be for religious purposes, it does speak to a wider narrative of the universal nature of being Points to Ponder restricted in what may be considered impulsive human behaviour Given the current pandemic, our celebration of Pesach was anything less than typical from what we This parsha outlines the necessity of guidance and have known. As we have progressed through these partnership in order bestow worldly knowledge. months of uncertainty and fear, we are now finally Similarly in our world, great feats are not often seeing a flattening of the curve and thus a achieved alone, but through the collaboration and lessening of Australia’s restrictions. With this in mind, interpretations of several individuals. perhaps it is during this month of Sivan that we as a peoplehood shall be given a ‘second chance’ to celebrate each other's presence during Pesach and Recommended give a sense of normality to what feels like an exceptionally abnormal time. Commentary Psychologist Wendy Mogel describes this week’s https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah parsha as one that represents rebellion and the -study/naso “adolescence of the Jewish people”.