Rabbi's Message - Parshat Parah/Shmini, March 30,2019
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B"H AIPAC
Inspiration is a phenomenon that is often under appreciated, and yet it is exactly what I find when I attend the AIPAC conference. (I go every year and recommend that more members of Anshei Emuna attend next year.) I can’t help but be inspired by sharing a convention center with 18,000 pro-Israel advocates. However, I’m not blinded by hype and I often disagree with speakers and their platforms. It also makes me uncomfortable when clergy use AIPAC as a venue to challenge the lack of pluralism in Israel (even though to a certain degree, I concur).
Yet in spite of that, it’s important for me to relate to the challenges that my peers in other denominations are facing. Although I don’t second guess my political leaning, I’m cognizant that my positions would not be sufficient to stymie politicians who demonize Israel. AIPAC understands this concept all too well. To confront and diminish the upward trajectory of the far left requires the support of those on the not-so- far left. In other words, I join together with those whose positions I moderately disagree with in order to minimize the threat from those whose positions I strongly disagree with.
I go not only to hear but to to see. Seeing thousands of high school and university students unashamedly supporting Israel is worth the price of admission. I go to see people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds standing together for a common goal, strengthening the United states/Israel relationship. I go to be inspired by those who may not share my religious or philosophical views but are deeply passionate about moral and ethical issues. I go to reconfirm that good exists outside my narrow interpretation and that there is much to gain by broadening my horizons. I go to listen and be inspired by people who have overcome the ravages of war and terrorism and choose to focus on the beauty of life. I go, because selfishly, even clergy need to be motivated and stimulated.
Over the past few days almost every speaker mentioned the word “bipartisanship.” It sounds so promising - both sides of the political aisle working together. However, it reminds me of the first time I went to an opthamologist. He checked my eyes and told me that my new prescription would require me wearing multifocal lenses. I expressed my dislike for lenses that have a discernible demarcation. Although both sides of the lens are necessary, I was uncomfortable seeing a visible line. He assured me that I could alleviate the problem by getting progressive lenses. They appear as a seamless transition that is undetectable to the naked eye. I thought about those lenses during AIPAC and believe that what I find uncomfortable about bifocal lenses is exactly what I find problematic with bipartisan politics. By preceding a commitment of mutual support with the prefix ‘bi-’ it suggests that the priority of both sides is in maintaining a separation. My suggestion would be to create a new system called ‘progressive politics,’ where both sides of the aisle seamlessly transition across a spectrum without a stark demarcation. Now that would truly be inspirational.
