Resolution
P’Kichut Eineinu “Opening our Eyes to Zionism”
Background
Reform Judaism upholds the principle of choice through knowledge, which is applied to issues such as gay marriage and laws of kashrut. However, the exception comes when discussing Israel. While many programs in NFTY are focused on Israel, these programs, while good at teaching about Israel, do not give those who have never visited the land a personal relationship to it. They commonly offer only blind support of Israel and do not truly convey the importance of Israel. Additionally, in the modern world, Zionism has begun to take on a negative, militaristic meaning; many outside of the Jewish world have begun to use Israel as a scapegoat for conflict in the Middle East. Jews are often challenged to stand their ground and defend Israel. In NFTY we to empower our youth to be able to defend their Jewish faith and their Jewish heritage, yet NFTY programming on Israel does not stand its ground. Typical NFTY programming fails to give solid answers as to why the Jewish people need a homeland, and why it is important that we defend it. It is time we answer those who ask why with responses reflective our personal beliefs. Lastly, it is important to accept that Israel’s policy is not always the best policy. Too often in NFTY, Israel is addressed as if it had no equal. We have turned our back in a way on North American Judaism, placing Israel above all other things. It is important for us to understand that while Israel is of critical importance, it must not prevent us from realizing the truth. Israel does have flaws and it is important for us to follow Israel not blindly, but with open eyes and open hearts.
Whereas, NFTY, as the youth movement of The Union for Reform Judaism and the Association of Reform Zionists of America, actively supports the State of Israel through study, action, summer trips, and our EIE High School Semester in Israel program; and,
Whereas, two of the core values of NFTY, Am Yisrael: The Jewish People and Eretz and Medinat Yisrael: The Land and State of Israel, maintain that NFTY is part of a larger picture and that being a member of NFTY means being an active Jew, whether through study, dialogue, or action; and
Whereas, NFTY is a snif of Netzer Olami, the International Reform Zionist Youth Movement and as such is committed to upholding its values and morals including Tikkun Kehila: the responsibility of Jews in Israel and the Diaspora of shaping the future of the worldwide and local Jewish communities; and
Whereas, it is important for us to retain our identity as Reform Jews living in North America; and
Whereas, as Reform Jews living in the Diaspora, we have a greater understanding of how our communities view Israel, and are therefore greatly responsible for reaching out to Israel and supporting it; and
Whereas, while supporting Israel and acting as Zionists, we must still learn about what and educate others on what we are supporting; and,
Whereas, the members of NFTY in the future then will hold the responsibility of maintaining both our Zionist beliefs, as well as the welfare of the Jews of the world, including Israel.
Therefore let it be resolved that the NFTY Study theme for the 2006-2007 be “P’kichut Eineinu: Opening our Eyes to Zionism," to further connect ourselves with Israel and understand who we are supporting as a youth movement, and
Let it further be resolved that this theme shall lead to the better understanding of why Israel has become such a prominent issue for NFTY and shall teach NFTYites that the Diaspora is a very important aspect of the Jewish People’s history; and
Let it further be resolved that as part of this theme, NFTYites will emphasize the importance of education of the importance of Israel through programming that goes beyond learning about Israel, teaching NFTYites how to defend their beliefs about Israel, and remaining open-minded; and
Let it further be resolved that NFTYites will be empowered to question Israel and follow in its footsteps as well as study Israel in order to improve it and understand that we must always question in order to grow fully; and
Let it further be resolved that as the Jewish committed to tikkun olam and tikkun midot, we must repair our fractured views of ourselves and of Israel to further our quest for seeing with open eyes and understanding with open hearts.
Respectfully submitted,
Ben Levine
NFTY-NAR Programming Vice-President 2005-2006
Adam Ross
NFTY-NE Religious and Cultural Vice-President 2005-2006
Aaron Arbiter
NFTY-NAR Social Action Vice-President 2005-2006
David Gross
NFTY-TOR Social Action Vice-President 2005-2006
