As Jews, we hold many different opinions. We discuss, debate and argue with one another. We come from multiple denominations or none at all. We think differently about politics, about God, about tradition and ritual, and we aren’t afraid to tell one another what it is we think and why we think it.
The same holds true for our understanding of the land of Israel. From the far left to the far right, including everything in between, you can find a million and one ideas and opinions about Israel in today’s Jewish community. When Jews gather to talk about Israel, to learn about Israel’s history, some of the conversations that ensue can be challenging and difficult, even painful.
But those who care enough to sit at the table to have those conversations do so because they love Israel, love the Jewish people, and want the very best for both.
One such difficult conversation occurred in our community at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation on Thursday night, Dec. 12. Some in the community chose to protest the program that was scheduled to take place, and that is certainly their right.
We are troubled, however, by the language and tone too many community members used in the days leading up to the event. Some made comments on social media and through emails to Baltimore Hebrew Congregation that were hurtful, hateful, and filled with venom and vitriol.
To give just a few examples: “They will have a mosque instead of a synagogue very soon,” “Soon they’ll fill their tallis cabinet with keffiyahs,” and most venomous of all, “If the leadership of BHC ever needs pagers, I know a good supplier.”
While those who instigated the protest against BHC did not call for such hateful language, the tone, manner and urgency with which the protest campaign was organized created space and permission for this type of coordinated email and social media attack on one of our congregations, including from voices well beyond the Baltimore area.
It is our belief that these comments, directed at a synagogue, its leadership and its clergy, all cross the line. They leave behind the arena of difficult conversation and enter the realm of disrespect, hate and threats. Even in the most challenging and emotional debates, this is not the way people should communicate with one another.
We, as rabbis and Jewish professionals, are offended on behalf of our colleagues at BHC and concerned for their safety and well-being. We pursued careers in Jewish communal life to serve God and the Jewish people. The rabbis of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation do so with devotion and integrity, and we are proud to call them colleagues and friends.
Furthermore, it should go without saying (although evidently it needs to be said) that this is not the way any Jew should speak to another, whether face to face or via social media, particularly at a time like this when Israel faces such difficult challenges, and antisemitic thought and behavior have been rising around the world.
On Wednesday night, Dec. 25, we will light the first candle on the menorah and begin our celebration of Chanukah. We should enter the holiday as a people united. This does not mean that we must always agree on each and every opinion that we hold (we never will!), but it does mean that even in our passionate disagreements we must treat one another with respect, decency and kindness.
For it is that path that will enable us to walk forward into a future that is brighter for all Jews, and for Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, the Land and State of Israel.
Signed,
Rabbi Steven Schwartz, Beth El Congregation
Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg, Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D., Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation
Rabbi Daniel Burg, Beth Am Synagogue
Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Baltimore Board of Rabbis
Howard Libit, Baltimore Jewish Council
Andrew Cushnir, The Associated
Rabbi Marci Jacobs, Chevrei Tzedek Congregation
Rabbi Andy Gordon, Bolton Street Synagogue
Rabbi Jessy Dressin, Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh
Rabbi Tyler Dratch, Beth Am Synagogue
Rabbi Debbie Pine, Hillel International
Rabbi Craig Axler, Temple Isaiah
Rabbi Rachel Safman, Beth Israel Congregation
Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner, Chevrei Tzedek Congregation (emeritus)
Rabbi Alex Salzberg, Towson University Hillel
Rabbi Daniel Plotkin, Temple Isaiah
Rabbi Naomi Zaslow, Beth El Congregation
Rabbi Miriam Burg
Rabbi Michael Hess Webber, Columbia Jewish Congregation
Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, Bethlehem (New Hampshire) Hebrew Congregation (also of Baltimore)
Rabbi Ilan Glazer, Adat Chaim Synagogue
Rabbi Jay R. Goldstein, Beth Israel Congregation Owings Mills (emeritus)
Cindy Goldstein, Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning
Rabbi Phil Miller
Monica Davis, Johns Hopkins Hillel
Rabbi Faith Cantor, Kol Shalom, Annapolis
Rabbi Dana Saroken, Beth El Congregation
Rabbi Josh Snyder, Goucher College Hillel
Rabbi Jeremy Fierstien
Addie Lewis Klein, Macks Jewish Connection Network
Lauren Shaivitz, CHANA
Rabbi Ariana Katz, Hinenu Baltimore
Rabbi Debi Wechsler, Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Rabbi Sam Blustin, Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Joan Grayson Cohen, Jewish Community Services
Rabbi Jerry H. Seidler, LifeBridge Health
Jakir Manela, Pearlstone & Adamah
Rabbi Paul Schneider
Barak Hermann, JCC of Greater Baltimore
Aliza Silverman, UMBC Hillel
*Institutional designations are for identification purposes only and do not represent the organizations themselves
A committed philanthropist and community leader, Russel was president of R&H Motors.
The mother of four was a native of Winchester, Virginia, who spent most of her life in Northwest Baltimore.
The remaining 6,000 members of the community are expected to immigrate by 2030.
The Columbia resident worked on the Gemini and Apollo space missions.