Shabbat in Israel - For Everyone?

By Itamar Kremer
Shaliah to the Conservative Movement

Chulent, shul, kiddush?

Try trips, humus and vodka red bull…

The halutzim leadership, the people who started building Israel during the first two decades of the last century, imagined a new society. This new society, under Max Nordau's vision of the muscle Jew, and A.D. Gordon's vision of the agricultural Jew, idolized agricultural values, work, self confidence, practicality and altruism, focusing on the immediate needs of life. There would be no place for old, religious, diaspora ceremonies! They wanted to create a Hebrew people on the Hebrew land, speaking the Hebrew language!

Although the leaders of the newborn Israel grew up in Eastern Europe's shtetls with the Jewish traditions which kept our people through 2000 years of diaspora life, they wanted to become a model society- and in order to create it, they felt that they need to create new kind of Jewish people- the Bedouin Jew, the halutz (pioneer), the shomer (guard), the soldier.

In this process, most of Israeli society along the years, following the kibbutzim and moshavim labor communities, turned its back on Jewish ceremonies. To be Jewish in Israel, for most people, is something that goes without saying, something that is always there, even if your only encounters with Judaism are Yom Kippur, Bar Mitzvah and the rabbi who officiates at your wedding.

In this process, Shabbat became a symbol of the ongoing battle for the shape of Israel. Although Shabbat is the formal day of rest, there are a huge number of business places open on Shabbat, the roads are crowded with weekend traffic, people go on trips, restaurants and bars are open and if you visit Tel-Aviv on erev Shabbat, you wouldn't guess that you are in a Jewish neighborhood.

The orthodox minority in Israel, which fights for the legislation of Shabbat observance, is for many irrelevant to a modern Israel. In recent years, fights over road closures on Shabbat and cinema and mall activity have been symbols of the conflict.

For me, growing up on a moshav, Shabbat was always a time for hiking trips and for parties. This was true until I set foot in a Masorti synagogue.

The option of sharing my Jewish roots and tradition, in a ceremonial, egalitarian and friendly way, was something that I discovered only at the age of 28. Most of my friends still cannot believe that I'm actually enjoying it!

For that, the Masorti movement in Israel can, and does, reshape Israeli values. Masorti synagogues, with about 50 congregations spread around the country, are, for me, the future of Israel- they are the bridge between the dynamic, modern Israelis and the ancient Jewish tradition. Shabbat in Israel, which for many people is only a free day from work, can be a day when Jews unite, a day when a community can be found.

For Americans coming to visit, Shabbat in Israel is what they wish for- a place to be Jewish, real Jewish, with people around you that are like you. For Israelis, well, it is sometimes scary and strange.

Next time you are in Israel, try to visit a Masorti synagogue. Try to reach out to Israelis to join you- you will be building and strengthening Israel, and yourselves.

L'shanah haba'ah b'yerushalayim!! (Next Year in Jerusalem!)

[Posted 2/6/08]