Photo by: Laurent de La Hyre According to the Jerusalem Post, Judaism is alive and well in this so-called bastion of secular life. I have been saying this to many of my dear friends outside Tel Aviv that the practice of Judaism in its variety of flavors has penetrated with great enthusiasm the “heartland” of secular life in Israel.
In a Jerusalem Post Editorial 5/17/10
“Tel Aviv, often mistakenly stereotyped as a bastion of militant secularism, has become, in recent years, a breeding ground for diverse, multilingual Jewish expression and dynamic, experimental spiritual projects. Orthodox organizations such as the religious Zionist Rosh Yehudi and the neo-hassidic Breslav and Chabad movements will provide all-night Torah study. Tzohar, an organization of modern Orthodox rabbis, will organize panels of rabbis, journalists, academics and celebrities in three different locations in Tel Aviv around the theme of Shavuot. Even TV personality and publicist Yair Lapid, who is rumored to be in the process of creating a new secular/liberal political party with an anti-haredi agenda, will participate. Tzohar’s events will end with singing and a sunrise megilla reading on Frishman Beach followed by Shaharit prayers. ”
“Unaffiliated organizations will market their unique brand of Judaism as well. The Secular Yeshiva, located near the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, will be the venue for a meeting between Bina Center for Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture, and Pishka, a club and study group of Russian-speaking youths. Those uninterested in lectures can sit with others of like mind in an improvised bar and discuss a subject touching on Jewish identity, conveniently written on a pieces of paper attached to beers served throughout the night. Alma Home for Hebrew Culture will teach its version of the Jewish experience at the Tel Aviv Museum.”
“A real thirst for Jewish content presented in an interesting and relevant way seems to be fueling the widespread adherence to the Kabbalistic custom, developed in Safed in the 16th century, to stay up all night learning. This thirst is not being quenched by the Chief Rabbinate, though this is its primary mandate. ”
“This teaches us an important lesson: Just as the desert does not belong to anyone, so, too, the Torah is not the personal property of anyone – not the Chief Rabbinate, not the Eda Haredit, not any other group.”
For the entire article go to Jerusalem Post
