Israel faces a crucial test of its democracy | CPT PPP Coverage

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By Rabbi Sanford Akselrad

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 | 2 a.m.

Listen to the rabbi.

There is a certain way that my rabbi, Sandy Akselrad, talks to his congregation. He doesn’t yell although his words scream out at injustice.

Israel is in the midst of what could be its greatest existential challenge — more so than all of the wars that tried to erase the Jewish State from the map. And that is saying something!

Rabbi Akselrad writes today about the move by Israel’s far right government to reduce its independent judiciary to rubber-stamp status — which as history has taught us is a road map for all repressive, authoritarian governments.

Because he doesn’t yell and I do, I thought his words would be more effective in this space than mine today on this subject. I believe he represents the overwhelming majority of Jewish opinion on the matter — especially in the Diaspora where support for the Jewish State is critical.

I commend his words to our readers.

— Brian Greenspun

As the first prime minister of Israel, the late David Ben-Gurion once said, “If the land of Israel is the heart of the Jewish nation, then Jerusalem is its heart of hearts.” Our prayers have always reflected that sentiment.

This coming Sunday, I will be in Jerusalem with my wife, Joni ,as we begin our three-month sabbatical. In planning this trip for so many years, we knew, of course, that we had to begin our journey in Israel; a land that means so much to us both. A country that is more than a country to us, it is a sacred spiritual place for us and for Jewish all over the world.

What I could not have foreseen was the political turmoil that would be taking place while we were there. For those unaware, Israel’s new government seeks to redefine the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court allowing, among other things, a simple majority of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) to overturn its rulings.

For some, this is needed to correct a court that has progressed too far to the left and is out of touch with the needs of the people. For others, it is the beginning of the end of Israel’s democracy, giving too much power to its legislative body. I pray that the truth is somewhere in the middle.

As a lover of Israel, and a passionate Zionist my entire life, I, too, fear for Israel’s democracy. I am afraid that Israel’s core values will be overridden by legislation supported by the extreme religious coalitions that tend to make up most Israeli governments. Their power is in the reality that any government can rarely stand without their support. The Israeli Supreme Court was always there to stand up for the rights of non-Orthodox Jews, and understand that Judaism is a big umbrella of Jewish with a spectrum of beliefs and practices. For example, the issue of “Who is a Jew?” is central to Israel’s core. Since its inception, Israel has welcomed Jewish from more than 100 countries, Jewish of every race and Diaspora history. Should this be challenged, I am afraid that there will be a break between Israel and Diaspora Jews.

There are many other issues that are significant as well — issues that ensure that the rights of minorities are protected and that there is a check on the legislative branch as befits such a democracy.

My desire was to begin my sabbatical with a bit of rest, but I am afraid it will begin with social protest while I am in Tel Aviv. During my stay, I, along with more than 100 colleagues from the reform movement, will be gathering for our annual convention, which this year happens to take place in Israel. It is doubtful, nay, impossible, for us to stay silent. Our love for Israel is too strong. Rest will have to wait. History is calling.