Kumah.
Americans
Return to Zion
Dear
brothers and sisters,
It is time to go home.
I
am a twenty-two year old Zionist Jew. I am writing this letter to
every Jew of my generation in an attempt to speak with each of you
personally. The events of the past months have led us to ponder good
and evil, to examine our role in this world, and to re-evaluate where
we are headed as a people. Below I have outlined a plan wherein we
will shift the tide of Jewish History. I ask that you read this with
an open mind and that you understand the times we live in will one
day comprise large chapters of Jewish History textbooks; we have the
choice of being a part of an elaborate footnote, or the subject of
entire chapters. For the next few moments, I ask that you let go of
the apathy and cynicism that seeps into our minds from our respective
surroundings, and seriously consider your ability to materialize this
dream.
We are a unique generation Ours is the first in two
thousand years to take the State of Israel and its accessibility for
granted. We are the first to be raised in an environment virtually
free of the anti-Semitism that has plagued generations even more
comfortable and secure than our own. We are a generation born into
the lap of success and affluence, and the first to dedicate nearly
all our time, efforts and vision toward maintaining our wealth and
the comfort it affords. Sadly, we have left little time to worry
about our personal spiritual goals, not to mention our communal and
national ones. We contentedly peruse the newspapers and passively
acknowledge tragedy as it hurdles by rather than realizing we are the
key to combating it. At best, we are only mildly alarmed at the
spiritual decimation of our brothers and sisters who are slowly
melting into the featureless homogeneity of American multiculturalism
at a rate that surpasses the most pessimistic of forecasts.
Toward
what are we striving? Maintaining the status quo? To aim to be even
more comfortable?
We must wean ourselves from the
priorities imbued in us by a society that preaches comfort, and a
life free from the tensions of worldly matters. This was
understandable for a generation desperately trying to recover from
the darkness of the Holocaust, but the stagnation of that comfort has
given birth to a dangerous mentality that there are no more dreams to
be had and nothing more to build for the Jewish nation. This
malignant pedagogy has fostered the farce of "post-Zionism"
and led millions of Jews to look elsewhere for meaning.
Our
first step is to realize that every individual is born with certain
tools, talents and circumstances, which he or she must use to bring
goodness and Godliness into the world. We must add to that the
realization that God placed before every generation of Jews
throughout history a unique set of tools, talents and circumstances;
often marked with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Our present
day challenges must be met using the gains attained by past
generations of Jews, through blood, tears and prayer. We must not
pretend that what our grandparents were striving for has been
achieved. We must build upon that which our ancestors perished
for, and continue to move toward our redemption precisely where our
fathers left off.
It is clear that our generation is faced
with the task of strengthening the State of Israel spiritually,
economically and physically. I used to insist that aliya should be a
goal rather than an option, but I no longer do so. Aliya is not a
goal. It is unnatural for it to be. It was a goal for those who
created the state, it was a goal for those escaping the horrors of
anti-Semitism, but it is not the goal for our generation.
It is
the starting point.
Israel is the point from which we will
embark toward the ancient goal of producing a luminous society that
will invigorate the Jewish people from within, and in turn, shine
light on to all peoples of the world.
We
were born into a time when aliya is easier than it has ever been in
our entire history. Yet as we make plans for our next visit to the
Holy Land, the world is changing its mind about Israel's very right
to exist and defend its citizens. Our eternal homeland is
starving for spirit. We as American Jews possess the spirit to quench
the parched lips of Eretz Yisrael, and to cultivate our national
dreams; dreams that have been obscured by the erroneous idea that
they have already come true.
In the stadium of our historical
narrative, we have been sitting on the bench - educating ourselves,
strengthening our intellects and fostering unique talents in
preparation for some abstract notion of success, always just beyond
reach. We must clear the bench and do that which we know is right.
This
is your invitation to join and support the initial group of
individuals and couples who will make aliya together with Kumah. This
group of pioneers is taking shape and preparing to board the plane
this summer. This core group will form a community adjacent to an
existing one, providing initial stability as they immerse themselves
in the Hebrew language and fulfill their national service. Together
they will go through the process of becoming citizens.
The
successes, challenges, joys and sorrows of these pioneers will be
documented and shared, through personal testimonials, articles and
artwork, with those still in America. Through media campaigns,
lectures and educational programs and on college campuses we will
present our generation with tangible images of people just like them
who are living extraordinary lives in their new home. They will read
of our welcoming Shabbat into our new homes for the first time as
joyous song echoes throughout the hills and valleys. They will share
the ups and downs of a community all building our lives together and
offering each other love and support. They will read of genuine
Jewish unity, about which countless meetings and conferences are
held, but which is only seen at times of persecution. In these
communities, where Jews are building lives, homes and each other -
together, unity will become a way of life.
This community will
unite with like-minded individuals already in Israel who are have
eagerly awaited such a project. Together they will work toward the
goal of moving from their transitional environment to the first of
three primary communities to be built.
They will fuse
spiritual and idealistic intensity with a profound sense of openness
and love for every Jew as they create a community that becomes "home"
to all who set foot in it. It will be a community that will
strive to be cognizant of the divine truth inherent in approaching
life as an opportunity to learn from every individual in a very
literal sense and allowing every single experience to change you.
A
euphoric sense of fulfillment will permeate the group of pioneers for
whome Israel has become a starting point toward reaching their
specific goals, tasks and dreams. They will marvel at the realization
that they have stepped into a world which they can shape and perfect
in every imaginable way. Menial tasks, such as ordering a Jewish
contractor to design the new Beit Knesset, smiling and offering
comfort to the elderly woman sitting across from them on the bus or
spending money on anything - thereby strengthening the economy of
millions of Jews - will become elevated. They will realize that every
stone they pile atop another not only forms the wall of the home they
are building for their families, but for their children and their
children's children and for the entire Jewish people in its simple
powerful message: We have come home for good.
North
American aliya will gain momentum as people follow their example. As
is the case in England and Australia - students will begin to board
planes still wearing their graduation gowns. Young men and women,
undecided about pretty much everything will begin their search for
meaning by making the one decision that they are certain is the right
one. It is a decision which only becomes harder and more traumatic
the longer one waits. V'shavu Banim Legvulam. The children
will return to their land. And with rambunctious Jewish grandchildren
playing in the streets, our parents will surely follow.
With
the awakening of American aliya will come a new Zionism. It will
reflect the innate Jewish desire to tie their destiny to that of
their fellow Jews both spiritually and physically in the Land of
Israel. Jews everywhere will begin to care deeply about the welfare
of the State of Israel as they realize that it will soon be their
home. There will be an increased sense of family and brotherhood
amongst the Jewish people, and attacks on our people will no longer
be tolerated.
It is one of the tenets of our religion that
every generation is given the means by which to bring the redemption.
Do we really believe it!? Kumah invites you to take part in making
this vision a reality. By accepting this invitation you are already
doing so. With God's help we will succeed. There will be setbacks,
but people like you and I are the only ones who have changed the
world in the past and we must stand up and realize that.
It
all starts with you. Think about it.
B'ahavat Yisrael,
Ezra
Levine for Kumah - Americans Return to Zion
For questions, comments and additional information: Arise@Kumah.org