Recently I heard Daniel Gordis speak at a breakfast sponsored by the Koret Foundation and the Taube Philanthropies. For those of you who might not know him, Gordis is an American rabbi descended from an illustrious family of rabbis, who made aliyah to Israel in 1998 with his family and since then has been among the most prolific and passionate supporters of Israel.
On this particular morning, Gordis was addressing Jewish professionals from around the Bay Area and his topic was particularism (the exclusive attention or devotion to one’s own particular interests or community). He argued that the malaise of the American Jewish community is directly related to our inability to teach vibrant Jewish pride to younger generations. We need to focus, he said, on teaching our children that to be Jewish is to be different (just as to be part of any culture is to be different) and that we must embrace that difference. Our holidays and rituals are beautiful manifestations of our difference and as we accept our difference with gusto we will firmly ensure Jewish continuity and survival.
I was glad for the reminder about the importance of having a strong, particularistic Jewish identity, though at the same time I couldn’t help but think about the High Holidays with their powerful message of universalism. Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are among the most universalist of all Jewish holy days. Jewish tradition teaches that the first human being was created on Rosh HaShanah. Rather than taking this literally, perhaps the tradition was trying to tell us that our New Year holiday celebrates one God who creates one humanity, all brothers and sisters. No human being can be more special than any one else. All human beings are unique, yet equal. And most important, all human beings are of infinite value.
I think that a mature spirituality embraces paradox, so as far as I’m concerned the answer to the question of whether Judaism believes in Jewish separateness or in universalism is a resounding “Yes!” This paradox is at the core of the challenge for the State of Israel which must be a Jewish state, but at the same time is a democratic state which must also provide equal treatment under the law to all her citizens, including non-Jewish citizens. The same could be said to be true of JCCs: we work hard to establish a vibrant Jewish identity and culture at the PJCC and concurrently we welcome everyone with joy and want everyone to feel that this is their home. Not an easy task. How can we find the right balance at the JCC?
But the real challenge is thinking about our own identities, or our children’s. Judaism urges us to be proud Jews, with a strong and vibrant enough Jewish identity to ensure that Jewishness will live in us and through us. Simultaneously, Judaism insists that we be good global citizens, recognizing our interconnectedness with all human beings. How can we find the balance in our own lives? How do you find it in yours?
The Rabbi Is In 