The Movement for Reform Judaism

The British delegation comprised movement head Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, its chair, Michael Grabiner, and treasurer Stephen Moss, CBE. The visit was organised by Julian Resnick, the Movement's director of Living Judaism.

Mr Peres, who unlike his predecessor Moshe Katzav, addressed Rabbi Bayfield as "harav," (rabbi) made it clear he was "troubled" by internal attempts to have a narrow definition of Jewishess. "We are a disappearing people," he told the group. "We are not the Chinese. There are only 14-15 million of us. We need to be more careful, generous and understanding."

He added that, "if rabbis have a right to decide who is a Jew, the Jewish people have a right to decide who is a rabbi."

On the scheduled peace summit in Annapolis, Mr Peres said that "all parties will do their utmost to ensure there is no failure. Even partial success will be a success."

After the meeting, Mr Grabiner said: "I found the meeting inspirational. His vision of reaching out to all the Jewish people, not just those in the centre, but especially those on the edges was both profound and uplifting."

Rabbi Bayfield said: "I found it an honour and a privilege to be a rabbi within a people led by a President of such stature. We were all taken I by his phrase that 'if rabbis have a right to decide who is a Jew, the Jewish people have a right to decide who is a rabbi."'

Reform Movement President, Sir Sigmund Sternberg, added: "I am very glad that, for the first time, the President of Israel has recognised the importance and contribution of the Reform Movement and has addressed its head as 'Rabbi'. This is long overdue."

The six-day visit underlined the Reform Movement's commitment to Israel and was a springboard for ever-growing involvement of members and communities in the life of the Jewish state.

The delegation engaged with those who enriched its understanding of the complexities of the central issues facing the state at this crucial time. Through visits to Sderot, which has come under an almost daily barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza, and the north, where tensions are running high in the wake of an Israeli Air Force attack deep in Syria, the leaders also displayed the Movement’s concern for the welfare of all Israelis.

The leaders heard moderate Palestinians, such as Palestinian Authority deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Soboh and leading academic and journalist Hanna Siniora, who are struggling to be heard above the din of fundamentalism.

Rabbi Bayfield said: “The trip was both symbolic and practical.  It was symbolic of the importance that we give to Israel - our highest level delegation to date.  And it was practically important in terms of developing the gesher chai, the living bridge that connects us ever more strongly to Israel - and Israel to us".

Click here to read about the Israeli coverage of the delegation's visit. 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed