As published in the Beit Luria newsletter, 30 July 2022
This week’s Torah portion in the diaspora is Parashat Masei. A quick glance at the portion suggests a straightforward recounting of the ancient Israelites’ journey in the desert. It’s kind of like the way we’d retell our tales about a trip – went here, did this, saw that.
So, it’s appropriate for this newsletter insert, too, as I wish to retell my recent journey to the Holy Land as part of the WUPJ’s Beutel-Bergman seminar. This year’s theme, Startup Progressive Jewish Leadership: From Vision to Reality set the tone for the trip, with participants from South Africa, Israel, Czech Republic, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Belarus, Russia, the USA and Italy gathering to learn, share and connect in an indescribable way only Israel can achieve.
The 10-day seminar covered everything from issues facing Israel and the diaspora, to building a global community and exploring the progression of, well, progressive Judaism. Organised by WUPJ educators, Rabbi Stacey Blank and Rabbi Shlomo Zagman, we began each morning with a session of prayer and reflection, followed by full days of lectures, tours and no shortage of food.
We met with leaders from the likes of the IMPJ, WUPJ, Hebrew Union College, IRAC and WZO. We heard from a Human Rights lawyer, Bedouin entrepreneurs, and a variety of leaders and rabbis around the country. We were presented with leadership seminars and worked in groups to develop the skills learned and apply them to our personal projects.
On night one, we put our faith in one another as we handed over watches and phones (or anything that could light up) and headed – in a human train – into Na Laga’at Blackout Restaurant, the only dark restaurant in Israel. We sat and chatted, filled our cups (and our souls), got handsy with our food and quickly learned to trust one another’s guidance in and out of the completely blacked-out restaurant. A memory I hope stays with me for a long, long time.
We visited the Anu Museum of the Jewish People, toured the Yitzhak Rabin Center with the legendary Paul Liptz, heard from two women rabbis in the Galilee of their successes and challenges, and broke bread at the whimsical Mijana restaurant in the Israeli-Arab village of Ar’ara and visited Kehilat Yozma school and shul in the beautiful area of Modi’in.
Another highlight was our trek through Neot Kedumim, the only biblical nature reserve in the world, where our guide expertly married nature and the scriptures in the most perfect setting for a lesson in leadership.
By the end of the trip, we’d grown as individuals, strengthened our global family network and came home proud to be part of the World Union and energised to take our personal projects for our communities to a new level. Most magically, I brought home a little something from every conversation and interaction had with each participant.
But that’s not all. I was fortunate to spend a few days in Tel Aviv before joining the seminar. I was privileged to meet up with our very own Alan Warshaw, fresh off his own seminars and straight from the highly dramatic morning spent with Women of the Wall at the Kotel on Rosh Chodesh. If it wasn’t for two years on Zoom, we’d never have met, and spending Kabbalat Shabbat at Beit Daniel, the largest progressive shul in Israel, complete with the honour of lighting candles with Alan and meeting MK Gilad Kariv, these memories wouldn’t exist. I also got to spend the day with Rabbi Elena Rubenstein, exploring the astounding Eretz Israel museum and enjoying a delicious lunch with our favourite mother Rabbi.
Parashat Masei isn’t just a slideshow of scenic vacation stops, but a recounting of the miracles experienced in the desert. The journey of the Israelites was divided into segments – each an opportunity to experience Hashem on their journey and, just like with my own trip, we need to relive what ‘was’ in order to get to what awaits.
Most importantly, this week’s portion teaches us that every single step we take in our journey is framed in the reflection of our relationship with the Divine. With every step, we acknowledge Hashem’s presence and participation in our journey.
Our lives are an evolving journey, never quite knowing what we’ll come across between our narrow spaces of Egypt and the Promised Land. It’s in this portion, more so than many others, that the presence of Hashem and the miracles performed are blatantly acknowledged.
The Israelites noted the miracles and shared them by recounting their journey. Let’s do the same. Let’s share our everyday miracles and acknowledge the Source. With Hashem’s support and guidance, I experienced the Holy Land in all its glory; gained a new global family and, I hope, new skills and energy to plough into our movement.
Shabbat Shalom.
Nachas & Drash 