Rabbi Deborah Blausten has written Progressive Judaism’s reflection as we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. You can read it below and find further resources here (courtesy of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism):

It’s the second Yom Ha’atzmaut of this war, and the moral urgency of the current situation makes it entirely understandable that our relationship with, and conversations about, Israel as a Jewish community are currently framed by the conflict. How could it be otherwise? With 59 hostages still held by Hamas, thousands of bereaved and traumatised families in Israel, and so many lives and homes destroyed in Gaza, the pain of those suffering demands our attention and action.

Our communities are deeply and sincerely divided on how to achieve progress. Within those divisions, it’s easy to lose sight of one another’s good faith. From the pulpit, as clergy, we see that even amid disagreement, the divergent voices in our community share a common goal: a deep desire to find a way from ‘here’ to ‘there’ – from today’s insecurity, fear, trauma, and violence to a peaceful, secure, and healing tomorrow.

That’s much easier said than done. But we deal in religion here, and that requires a leap of faith. Faith in one another, and in the value of the greater ideal.

As Naftali Hertz Imber wrote in the poem that became Israel’s national anthem, “Od lo avda tikvatenu” – our hope is not lost. The future of all who live in the land is too important to surrender to despair. This is, as Rabbi Michael Marmur once wrote, a theological statement, not a philosophical one. Judaism is a tradition oriented toward an ideal of redemption. That’s part of our covenantal responsibility. We are bound in relationship with God and with those who came before us, to keep moving forward with purpose and with a vision shaped by what truly matters.

On Yom Ha’atzmaut, I’m reflecting on how we, as a religious movement, are working towards that ‘day after’ – a future we must believe is possible. What is our relationship with Israel and with Israelis when it is not defined by conflict?

Israel is the world’s largest Jewish community. It’s the only Jewish state, the only Hebrew-speaking nation on earth. Everything we stand for as a religious movement – diversity, openness, creativity, and the power of Judaism to effect social change – is just as vital for Jews in Israel as it is anywhere else in the world.

What stops me from falling into despair in the face of Israel’s challenges? Realising that, despite everything happening, so many people in Israel are already building that ‘day after’ each and every day. Our Israeli Progressive colleagues are creative liturgists and brilliant community builders. They’re welcoming people from all walks of life into Jewish communities and mobilising those communities as hubs of social enterprise, spiritual care, development, and outreach.

Their work is brave and vital and last night’s shocking attack on the Reform synagogue in Ra’anana – by far-right Jewish extremists – highlights the challenges they face within the Israeli political environment.

Progressive Jews are reshaping Judaism in Israel – and acting out of their Judaism to reshape Israel itself – ensuring that everyone has access to religious space that meets their needs, and turning communities into forces for social good.

Rabbi Deborah Blausten at the World Zionist Congress

This Yom Ha’atzmaut, can you take two minutes and spend £1 to remind yourself – and show our colleagues and progressive Jewish family in Israel – that you believe in their future? Can you strengthen their hands and raise their voices as they defend and build Israel’s democracy in the name of Judaism?

Please vote for Our Israel in the World Zionist Congress elections – our joint slate of Reform, Liberal and Masorti Jews. You must register before Tuesday 13 May by clicking here (it costs £1 and you need ID).

Ensure that talented, open-hearted, open-minded leaders shape the national institutions of the Jewish people. Send as much funding as you can to support the work of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism.

Despair hands decisions about the Jewish future to others. This is our chance to act from faith instead—and to make a statement, to ourselves and to the wider Jewish world, that progressive Jews believe in Israel’s future and will play a decisive role in shaping it.