An International Tragedy and Finding Common Ground

“I would like to take a moment and dedicate a tribute to the three teenage boys who were found lifeless in a field yesterday in the West Bank, 18 days after they were kidnapped,” I said today during Avodat Lev. I had asked the staff member leading the first activity of the day if something could be mentioned about this terrible tragedy- when it was thought that members of Hamas shot and killed these civilians after kidnapping them while they were on their way to school two weeks ago. The staff member said he was not aware of the incident and invited me to take over our morning ritual to publicize the news and attempt to understand this tragedy.

Two songs into Avodat Lev, Arthur turned the stage over to me, where I briefly spoke about the murder, the constant search for the last 2 weeks to find these individuals, and the way in which it brought together Klal Yisroel (nation of Israel). I requested we remain silent for a full minute to remember Naftali Frankel, Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaar. “May their memory be a blessing to Klal Yisroel,” I concluded, nodding to Arthur indicating he can continue with the regular morning service.

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continues- since the search for Frankel, Yifrach, and Shaar, 422 Palestinians- 335 members of Hamas- were arrested in the West Bank, more than 80 rockets and shells were fired at Israel, and dozens of targets struck in the Gaza Strip.

But life continues, there in Israel, here in America. We are keeping busy at Adamah, continuing our attempt to reconcile our differences as secular and religious Jews. Israel has attempted to keep its people safe, make compromises with the Palestinians, though whether this is true on the other end is questionable, and certainly doubtful with regards to Hamas. It is difficult for the Orthodox population here to wake up 10 minutes earlier- that perhaps being 5:20 instead of 5:30- to daven (pray) the morning Shacharit (morning prayer), in order to create Shalom Bayit (peace in the home) and participate in the communal prayer, which excludes several of the traditional prayers. But we do it because we are attempting to create a community of peace, love, and understanding- and perhaps to understand these other experiences of our fellow Adamah-niks. It is a sacrifice to those who are less observant at home to refrain from using electricity and participate in other Shabbat-desecrating activities in the common area, in order to create a more comfortable environment for those who are more observant. There is a sincere attempt on both ends to make this a manageable and safe space for everyone involved. Perhaps when there we practice more love for each other within Jewish communities, as is such in a unique manner at Adamah, we can begin to face the difficulties and threats directed at us from outside our community.