Young Israel Statement Regarding Recent Events In Beit Shemesh, Israel

January 3rd, 2012

National Council of Young Israel President Eli Dworetsky and Associate Executive Director Rabbi Bini Maryles issued the following statement in reference to the recent events in Beit Shemesh, Israel:
 

We have all seen, read and heard about the violent attacks and reprehensible behavior by a small number of Jews in the Beit Shemesh area of Israel.  Any violence, let alone Jew against Jew, is unacceptable and worthy of strong condemnation.  The National Council of Young Israel, which includes 130 synagogues across the United States, as well as our Israel region of over 50 synagogues, condemns in the strongest terms such behavior and those who promote these kinds of actions.  There is no room within the Jewish people for hooliganism and Chilul Hashem of any kind.

Condemnation, however, only goes so far.  We have so many questions about the anger and rage that continues to divide us to the point where it can be hard to recognize us as one people.  Is this really happening in our community?  Does our desire for connection to divinity so overwhelm us so as to trump our need and responsibility for dignity toward one another?  Yet, there are seemingly no resolutions or answers.

The parshiot of Vayigash and Vayechi proclaim the beauty and need for reconciliation.  Yaakov Avinu proclaims ‘Baruch Shem...’ to his now united statement of Shema by his sons.  In addition, as our calendar turns toward Asara B’Tevet we remember only too well that it was Sinaat Chinam, baseless hatred, which brought the calamity and destruction to Yerushalayim and the Batei Mikdash.

In times of tzara in our community, our sages have always implored us to look inward to find our best selves and have directed us to seek peace where and how we can find it.  During this tzara we ask our communities and their leadership to dedicate time and effort, through programs, events, prayer and learning, towards introspection and reconciliation of family, community and klal yisrael.  As a community dedicated to Torah values and Chesed, we also ask  for greater tolerance, understanding and unity for all people.