The initiative is an attempt to bring together what some might call a splintered community.I spoke to the organizer of the initiative, and he agreed to be "interviewed" and answered a few questions about the program.
1. Why this initiative?
A: The purpose is to open the doors of communication and increase the interactive between various kehillos. What ties us together as a community is much, much stronger than what divides us. All too often we focus on the 10% division, instead of the 90% similarity. This similarity is focused on the aspects of Torah and Avodas Hashem, not on political affiliation, social interests, or personal agendas. By building a stronger Ramat Beit Shemesh, by cooperating in growing in torah and mitzvos, we will create a Kiddush Hashem and a model for all of klal yisroel.
2. How did you get this range of rabbonim to agree to sit together, which is unprecedented in RBS? Unless of course they will be there at different times and not really sitting together...
A: Each Rav was approached personally, one by one. The mission as mentioned above was laid out to each one. Concerns were discussed, and addressed, and eventually all the listed Rabbeim agreed to participate, SO LONG as the event and future programs were focused on torah, shiurim, etc. and not politics or social agendas.
3. Who is behind this - a private person/people, political or clerical?
A: Private
4. why now - what is different now than the past 10 years of RBS history in which nothing like this has taken place and the communities have not been so together?
A: The initial impetus grew from the great conflict and tension which evolved from the elections last month. It was a clearly dividing event, reflective of the 10% division mentioned above, not the true 90% similarities. Secondly, RBS A has "matured" to many large, established kehillos that by-and-large, work independently of each other. The time has come to bring the strengths of these kehillos and rabbeim together. Finally, with the growing dangers of the Gaza war and its repercussions, this initiative has taken on more significance now.
5. why are the initiators of this remaining anonymous?
A: No particular shul or group is taking responsibility for this initiative - it is a community endeavor, backed by all the Rabbonim and kehillos.
Final note - this Melava Malka is simply the launch, the kick-off. The hope is that the programs (which will be explained in detail on Motzei Shabbos) will gain momentum and establish a new working-norm in RBS A; this event is not a one-time anomaly.
Looking forward...
ReplyDeleteIMHO, there will not be true achdut unless the following occurs:
ReplyDelete1. Rav Pearlstein comes to speak at Ahavat Tzion.
2. Rabbi Copperman is invited to speak in a "Hareidi" shul.
2. The Rabbis of Gimmel address the Gimmel behavior against Tov in the election.
Rafi, your thoughts?
I like it because it leads to techias hameisim - look on the flyer and see who is the rav of Ohr Shalom
ReplyDeleteanonymous- as the initiator said - " Each Rav was approached personally, one by one. The mission as mentioned above was laid out to each one. Concerns were discussed, and addressed, and eventually all the listed Rabbeim agreed to participate, SO LONG as the event and future programs were focused on torah, shiurim, etc. and not politics or social agendas."
ReplyDeletethis is only the beginning of the process. The idea is that Rav Copperman will be invited to speak in such a shul (note: Rav Copperman has already spoken as a guest speaker in beis Tefilla in the past).
and that Haredi rabbonim will speak in dati leumi shuls.
That is the idea.
and again, as Rabbi Malinowitz said - the initiative is to foster unity. How wrong would it be to start off with lashon hara and bad mouthing it talking about which rav/shul this or that. Let's do what we can to make it work, not to knock it down.
I am thrilled about this initiative, but I am somewhat puzzled that this seems to be only for the English-speaking (or partially English-speaking) shuls. Merkazi and Ramat Shalom are conspicuously missing.
ReplyDelete"as Rabbi Malinowitz said - the initiative is to foster unity. How wrong would it be to start off with lashon hara and bad mouthing it talking about which rav/shul this or that. Let's do what we can to make it work, not to knock it down."
ReplyDeleteI can accept this from Rav Malinowitz who truly works to unite this community.
However there are rabbonim on that list who do not show respect to other Rabbonim, "dis" local tzedaka organizations and political parties.
It will be very difficult to imagine that the leopard has changed its spots.
Richie, I have spoken with the organizer and he said this is a first step. In the future, be"H it will extend to the non-english speaking shuls as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to get something together to make a foundation.
There are always a lot of questions like, why not this person, why do it this way etc, but everyone should know that much thought and time were invested to make this happen.
Why is Rav Perlstein "Harav" and Rav Myers just "Rav"?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it Rav Perlstein who is giving the drasha and Rav Myers just the divrei bracha?
It will be true achdut when Rav Copperman is invited to Chanichei to give the Drasha and Rav Perlstein will say the divrei bracha.
I would like to briefly address some of the questions posed here:
ReplyDelete1. Please realize that this is just the beginning. A first step. After many years of discord, our hope that this is merely a crack in the status quo.
2. There is always more that can be done. But you must first dig the foundations before laying the final capstone. Almost all of your suggestions have been discussed, and the hope is that in the future they will come to fruition.
3. At this point it is focused on the Anglo community. With so many kehillos and rabbonim, we had to hegin with a specific focus. We hope in due time, it will expand to include other kehillos. As the saying in Chazal goes: Tofasta Meruba, Lo Tofasta
4. It is difficult for leopards to change their spots. But we're not looking to make them change. Achdus doesn't mean we all change into zebras - achdus means, keep your spots, but recognize my stripes.
5. Rav Perlstein is referred to as HaRav since that has been his accepted title, whereas Rav Myers goes by his accepted title of Rav. They are simply labels.
6. In life, it is always easier to pick on the problems and mistakes, and harder to find the good and the hope. Please focus on the incredible step which has been taken, instead of the "what ifs" and "if onlys".
I encourage everyone to attend Motzei Shabbos and to experience this event in person.
Baruch Hashem! When we first moved here, and there were many chilonim then, there was a very good feeling of solidarity among all. It seems that after the chilonim moved away, it became more divisive. Now it is finally going in the right direction-a place of achdus for all. May the organizers see much Siyata Dishmaya!
ReplyDeleteIMHO there will not be true achdus until:
ReplyDeleteRav Kornfeld and Rav Perlstein, 2 of the rabbonim on the list of achdus backers, will publically support Lemaán Achai as the other rabbonim on that list recognize Kupa and Lemaán Achai.