Tisha B'Av in Jerusalem - To See a Prophecy

Jerusalem has a holy reputation. It is known for its holy sites, fascinating history, and religious passions. Jerusalem has possession of holy sites for all three monotheistic traditions. It has some of the most beautiful churches and monuments of Christendom. It is the site of al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site for Islam. For Judaism, Jerusalem is the holiest city of them all. The importance of this city to the Jewish people is emphasized by over 600 mentions in the Hebrew Bible and the several prayers reminding us of the deep Jewish longing for return. As a part of the Jewish people, I feel that powerful connection to Jerusalem. Every time I have the privilege to go to Jerusalem, I feel something really special in my soul. In my current visit to Jerusalem, I am spending a month engaged in intensive Jewish study in the Aish HaTorah yeshiva. I have learned so much about what it means to be a Jew but I also learned to see the miracles that happen right in front of me. 

As I lived in the Old City of Jerusalem for this month, I engaged in a common activity here done by both locals and tourists - people-watch. 

It happened to be that during my month in Jerusalem, Tisha B'Av was to take place. For those who do not know, Tisha B'Av is one of the saddest days of the Jewish calendar and it is accompanied by a 25 hour long fast. It is on that day that both the first and second temples were destroyed. If that was the only tragedy on the Jewish people to fall on that day, it would have been enough. It happens to also be the day the First Crusade began which sparked pogroms of thousands of Jews by the Christian crusaders. It is the day the Spanish Inquisition began in 1492 which brought to an end one of the most influential Jewish communities of the time and further dispersing Sephardic Jewry, converting and killing many. It is also the day Germany entered World War I which led Germany down its dark path to the Final Solution and the Holocaust. These are just a few terrible tragedies to list. 

So when a Jew reflects on Tisha B'Av, the traumas of their ancestors rests on their souls. It is a day of reflection and sadness comes alongside. But out of sadness, gratitude also comes to mind. As most fasts tend to go, I often feel tired and weak after about the fifteenth hour. I suppose this is the price to pay for having the time to meditate and reflect on a number of things. This fast, I was to have it in the Old City of Jerusalem. I sat on a bench in the small plaza in front of the Ramban Synagogue (the oldest active synagogue in old Jerusalem). As I sat there to meditate on the weight of Tisha B'Av, I struggled to concentrate because of many little loud noises. Those noises came from children. For a moment, I was frustrated because these loud kids running around were disrupting my meditation. After a few minutes, I was able to get to a state of mind where I could move past the noise, but then it hit me. I need to listen to this noise and embrace this noise. This is the noise of a fulfillment of a prophecy!

Zechariah 8:4-5 - So said the Lord of Hosts: Old men and women shall yet sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of old age. And the streets of the city shall be filled, with boys and girls playing in its streets.

What an amazing prophecy to witness! And how easy it is for myself or anyone to just walk by it and fail to appreciate such an amazing thing! Coming to this realization really uplifted my mood. This is what the Jewish people live for. Its about creating a Jewish society in which the streets can be filled with children playing together in safety. 

From where I was situated, I was walking distance from the Kotel which is the remaining wall of the Temple Mount that Jews pray and cry at. I really wanted to go down to it and pray on this day. Alas, that was not possible. Due to the coronavirus, I was unable to safely go down to the Kotel to pray and reflect. I could look at it all day from the Aish HaTorah balcony, but my hands would not touch it this year. To be so close and yet so far. To go to the Kotel on such a day would have been really important to me. But this year, it just was not meant to be. 

I witnessed for myself the fulfillment of a prophecy. If you ever have the privilege to visit Jerusalem then you must go to a public bench, sit down, and just watch. You will witness the fulfillment of a powerful prophecy. 

Jerusalem has no shortage of challenges ahead but this is not the piece to discuss that. I think of how important it is for people to have a space to be themselves. I know that Jews are aware of that. Throughout our history, we kept losing our places to be ourselves. We lost Judea two thousand years ago and thankfully we returned to make a new home. But I think of my own history and the places that those before me had lost. I know where in Germany my maternal grandfather used to live. In 1938, he lost that place to be. On my father's side, they were Jews of Poland and Lithuania. They lost their places to be around that same time. I think of my Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish brothers and sisters who lost their places to be in North Africa and Middle Eastern countries. I have Jewish history on my mind - a history of always having a bag packed and ready to flee elsewhere. 

I hope and pray those days are done and that if a Jew packs a bag, its of their own free will and not due to any form of distress or persecution. 

Jerusalem is perhaps the perfect place to be on Tisha B'Av. It is not an easy holiday but Jerusalem is not an easy place. It is a city that is often in my thoughts and I hope for its success and peace. I hope that those who feel its holy essence can have the space to embrace that feeling there. 

May our prayers for peace and fulfillment be answered. 

#JewishPrivilege

Many people who seek to divide and hate have started pushing the hashtag #JewishPrivilege. I normally ignore hateful trends on the internet because they tend to be on the fringes. But this hashtag has crept into the mainstream. Many Jews have already spoken out against it citing their “#JewishPrivilege.” For the record, there is no such thing as #JewishPrivilege. At least not in the way that it is currently being used by bigoted individuals. Jews do not control the media, banks, or Hollywood. Jews are not plotting to take over the world. Jews only want to be like everyone else. To have equal rights and to be treated fairly.

But since this hate is trending, I want to share my #JewishPrivilege. 

My #JewishPrivilege was kids trying to force feed me ham because they thought it was funny. 

My #JewishPrivilege was being on the receiving end of pennies being thrown at me. 

My #JewishPrivilege is constantly being mischaracterized and misunderstood whether in the classroom or in the streets.

My #JewishPrivilege is being called Christ Killer and being told I’m going straight to hell unless I drop my Judaism and convert.

My #JewishPrivilege is constantly trying to come to terms with what horrible things happened to my ancestors but realizing that I probably will never come to terms with it.

My #JewishPrivilege is being told “get over the Holocaust” regularly. 

My #JewishPrivilege is a swastika under my door seeking to push me down.

My #JewishPrivilege is memorizing where all the exits are in all the synagogues in my city. 

My #JewishPrivilege is being ignored when I try to address real antisemitism. 

My #JewishPrivilege is being treated differently than others when I put a yarmulke on. 

These are all real things and I could list more but I hate to end on a negative ending. 

So please join me in setting a positive trend: #JewishPride. Let’s show the world why we are proud of who we are! 

I have #JewishPride because I am a member of a people tasked to be a light unto the nations and bring morality into this world.

I have #JewishPride because my Jewish brothers and sisters are capable of overcoming any obstacle when we stand together. 

I have #JewishPride because I am of a nation that has a beautiful blend of peoplehood and faith.

I have #JewishPride because I am part of a legacy that seeks justice and to lift others up to standard of equality and fairness.

I have #JewishPride because despite all of the odds, we are still alive and seeking to create a better world. 

I have #JewishPride because I am proud to be a Jew and I would not have it any other way. 

שער לאדם باب للانسان Shar La’adam

Five months can just fly by. It’s not a long period of time, but it is in a way. It’s enough time to become comfortable in a new environment. It’s enough time to be part of a new community. It’s enough time to make some incredible adventures.

I spent five wonderful months at a little place called שער לאדם (Shar La’adam - in Arabic it is pronounced Bab Lil-insan), the Entrance to Humanity. It is a very simple place, but simple in a complicated way. It’s appearance might fool you into thinking it is primitive. There are trees everywhere. There’s no real walkway. You trip on uneven steps and you roll your ankle at least once a month. You have to hike down the hill to go to the bathroom and shower. There are hippies right next door. You hear nature at all times throughout the day. Both Arabs and Jews come around and make lots of noise at the wrong hours of the day. 

But the beauty is in its simplicity. 

שער לאדם allows you to slow down. It allows you to attempt in being more incarnated.

Many of us are constantly rushed or overwhelmed by demands, deadlines, and more. We suffer through these things because we want a home, food on the table, and to buy some pleasures. 

Here, I slow down.

I breathe.

I make food with my friends.

I lay under the stars and reflect on who I am.

I strive to be better.

I connect.

I grow. 

My time at שער לאדם was nothing short of life-changing. I made some wonderful lifelong friends who I love so dearly. People whom we developed a deep trust and intimacy with each other. Going through the trauma of coronavirus together certainly helps in building a strong friendship. I will be visiting them in their respective cities whenever possible. 

I tear up a little bit now since I no longer see them every day. 

I also have to thank our two co-directors who took us under their wings and helped us learn and grow.

While I still have much to learn, I know that I will always carry a piece of שער לאדם with me. 

Sometimes the hard work comes from the simple places. 

I hope that this little place continues to grow and foster the coexistence that is so greatly needed. 

Thank you! Todah Robah! Shukran Ikthir! 

Interfaith Support Call for Teaneck, NJ 06/14/2020

Shalom and Hello to everyone from Harduf, Israel. It is a great honor for me to participate in this Interfaith call to healing. It’s quite amazing that I am able to be with you even though I am 7,000 miles away so that despite how far apart we are in distance, we are still together. 

I want to take this time to talk about Judaism’s wisdom on hope and inner strength. Judaism has many great verses of biblical wisdom and prophecy that has provided Jews a spiritual strength to persevere and survive for thousands of years. As you are likely aware, Jews are a people familiar with difficulty and hardship. So I want to discuss a bit about a Judaism of hope. 

Judaism is ultimately, a faith that by its very structure holds out to hope for the future. Rabbi Johnathon Sacks of Great Britain brilliantly points out that what makes the Hebrew Bible different than most other works of literature is that it has an amazing beginning but no satisfactory ending. There is no “and they lived happily ever after.” It ends with the Jews in exile in II Chronicles. That’s because the Jewish story has yet to end. We believe that we are constantly and regularly adding to our story of what it means to be a Jew and every single Jew is adding to the Jewish story regardless of where they were in Diaspora or whether they remained in the Holy Land. And it also means that God is still with us as we work to build a better world. Our story does not have to be in the Bible for it to be relevant to us. I find that understanding to give me a lot of hope for the future. That my story is not complete and that I have a chapter to add to the Jewish story. 

But while our story is ongoing, the Hebrew Bible still has plenty of relevance. Not only does it describe the origins of Judaism, it also provides plenty of wisdom to deal with a multitude of challenges. The Torah provides wisdom. The Nevi’im or Prophets provide wisdom. And the Kethuvim or Writings provide wisdom. And it has a fascinating way of providing comfort when needed. I want to share some words from each of the 3 sections of the Hebrew Bible in hopes that it will provide for you some comfort and strength regardless of your faith. 

Every week Jews around the world read a portion of the Torah which is called a Parshah. This practice has helped keep the Jewish story alive. It keeps the Torah on our mind as we think about it, discuss it, argue about it, and wrestle with its deeper meaning. 

Last week, Jews around the world read the Parshah Nasso, in the Book of Numbers, which holds what I believe to be one of the most beautiful blessing in the Torah. 

Numbers 6:24-27 ‘May the Lord bless you and watch over you. May the Lord cause his countenance to shine to you and favor you. May the Lord raise his countenance toward you and grant you peace. They shall bestow My Name upon the Children of Israel, so that I will bless them.’ 

God conducted this blessing through Moses as the Israelites were crossing through the Sinai Desert. 

In the Prophets, Isaiah reminds his audience about who God is and tells them to have hope and faith in God. This is Isaiah’s message of hope and strength: 

Isaiah 40:28-31 ‘Do you not know-if you have not heard an everlasting God is the Lord, the Creator of the end of the earth; He neither tires nor wearies; there is no fathoming his understanding. Who gives the tired strength, and to him who has no strength, He increases strength. Now youths shall become tired and weary, and young men shall stumble. But those who put their hope in the Lord shall renew their vigor, they shall raise wings as eagles; they shall run and not weary, they shall walk and not tire.’

At last, I want to conclude by sharing a portion of a Psalm. It is believed that David wrote the Psalms with every Jew in mind so that when tough times come, the Psalms will help provide hope, comfort, and strength. 

Psalm 91:9-16 ‘For you said, “The Lord is my refuge”; the Most High you made your dwelling. No harm will befall you, nor will a plague draw near to your tent. For He will command His angels on your behalf to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you, lest your foot stumble on a stone. On a young lion and a cobra you will tread; you will trample the young lion and the serpent. For he yearns for Me, and I shall rescue him; I shall fortify him because he knows My name. He will call Me and I shall answer him; I am with him in distress; I shall rescue him and I shall honor him. With length of days I shall satiate him, and I shall show him My salvation.’ 

These are powerful words that have provided a lot of comfort, strength, and hope to Jews across the centuries no matter where they were. I find that they not only help me in finding hope but also in looking deeper into who I am as a human and as a Jew. 

I hope these words have brought you some comfort, strength, and hope. I know we will get through these difficult times and what I hope is that our suffering and loss was not in vain. That we learn from this so that we can better protect each other and our society in the future. May the memories of those we lost forever be a blessing. May God grant us the strength to get through this difficult time and make a better world. May we carry with us strength, courage, prayer, and hope. 

Amen. 

The Siren Heard Across the Land - Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

10:00 am. A siren sounds across all of Israel. We know this siren comes annually. Today is a day that we take to remember who we lost. An interesting question can be asked: why should we not only remember, but be reminded once every year? Does the history of the Holocaust not cause us some kind of deep pain? It does. 

There are many reasons to remember but one that sits on my mind is that it’s not just my history, it’s not just a recent history, it’s human history and its lessons are valuable to the contemporary. 

One thing I hear people say a lot is that “people are inherently good.” I don’t believe that. As a Jew I don’t believe it and as a descendent of survivors and victims, I can’t believe that. To be good is to do good. And sometimes, to do good requires a bravery greater than the average person can summon. What comes to mind when discussing the Holocaust is not just those who partook in the atrocities but also those who made excuses to remain silent. It comes to mind because there is silence towards great pain today. People remain silent about atrocities and agony across the world. Whether it be in Central America, Syria, Myanmar, China, or anywhere else - we should not have to wait for the situation to be like that of the Holocaust for us to care about those being victimized. Jews may spend the remainder of their lives remembering the Holocaust but the Holocaust is not just about the victims. It is about those who can become perpetrators and bystanders when situations arise to allow such behaviors. But also, the Holocaust is about those who in spite of all that was stacked against them, became the righteous among the nations. That’s what makes being a human being a worthy cause. It is because humans are not inherently good that it is so uplifting when humans do such amazing good. We might not be inherently good but we are capable of doing so much good. We can prevent future atrocities. I believe that since we can do so many great things despite our capabilities of doing such great evil reveals the beauty and complexity of being a human being. 

When I hear the siren of Yom HaShoah in Israel, I think of those who came before me and sacrificed so much so that I can be where I am today. I think of those who had their whole lives disrupted and were forced to rebuild. I think of the stories I need to share so that on the day there are no more survivors, I can carry the mantle and keep their stories alive. But perhaps most of all, I think of those who didn’t make it. 6 million Jews and 5 million other people who had their lives stolen from them and never truly received the justice worthy of their sacrifices. 
So let the siren sound so that we can take this moment in time, to silence the noise of our lives, for just one minute that we can pay respect to our forefathers and foremothers who sacrificed so much that we can be where we stand today. 

May we use the memory of the Holocaust to build a better future.

May we never again allow hate to destroy.

May we love the neighbor.

May the memories of those we lost forever be a blessing. 
Am Yisrael Chai.

This Year in Jerusalem? Maybe Next Year.

For many generations, Jews have concluded their Seders with the saying “לשנה הבאה בירושלים״ translated as “Next Year in Jerusalem.” Many Jews dreamed of returning to Jerusalem over the generations and sadly most were never able to go. I am currently enjoying a great privilege which is to be in a land where Jews are safe and can express their faith openly without concern. This year, I happen to be in Israel during the holiday of Passover and I really wanted to celebrate the holiday in Jerusalem. I didn’t want to just celebrate this for myself; I wanted to celebrate the holiday in Jerusalem for those before me who never made it to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, my dream went unfulfilled. Because of the coronavirus and the quarantine imposed upon us, I was unable to make it to Jerusalem. So close and yet I might as well be so far away. I will be honest, it hurt. But as with every challenge in life, lessons and ideas can come from it. My ancestors prior to my grandfather never made it to this land and were never able to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. This year, I did not make it to Jerusalem for Passover either. But, I came close. 

Sometimes, we have to come to terms with what is impossible but we should also acknowledge how close we got. So, this year I don’t get to pray for those who didn’t make it. Perhaps next year - I will. 

Election Day in Israel

I love a good election! But 3 times within the span of a year might be a bit much. Nevertheless, it has been very interesting to talk to Israelis about their thoughts on this problem. The results of the previous two elections show that Israelis are quite divided on what they want for the future of their country. Essentially, you have a strong right, a strong center, and a weak left. It also seems that in Israel, the right and the left are on two very different issues.

For the right, they see the main threat to the State of Israel as Iran.

For the left, they see the main threat to the State of Israel as the on-going and seemingly never-ending conflict with the Palestinians.

The centrists in Israel tend to be more right-leaning towards security and left-leaning on human rights and social services. At least that is what they have been telling me. That is also what Benny Gantz, the #1 pick for Kachol Lavan (Blue and White party), has said many times. 

There are plenty of other concerns that Israeli voters have in mind as they go to the ballot boxes. Cost of living in Israel is increasing. There is an intense debate on whether or not very religious Jews can avoid going to the Army if they remain in a yeshiva to study Torah. And so much more that you likely would not hear much about outside of Israel. 

There is also much concern about the Israeli political system itself. Despite Netanyahu’s corruption charges, many Israelis are still keen on voting for his party, Likud. To an outsider, this may seem confusing and cause some frustration. But looking in from the inside, there are reasons why some Israelis still vote Likud and those reasons are not irrational.

Netanyahu has two major political elements that he can take credit for (or at least have that credit be accepted by voters). Under the Netanyahu Prime Ministership, Israel has a strong security apparatus and improved relations with foreign nations. Being able to own having a secure country is certainly a great chip to have, especially in the Middle East. He has spent a lot of time traveling to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Gulf states where relations have improved in recent years. And having some countries relocate (and declare to relocate) their embassies to West Jerusalem is big plus to his political ambitions. 

As upsetting as it may seem, it makes sense that some Israelis will overlook his corruption charges and infidelities. One Israeli told me, “I don’t care what he does in his personal life, I only care that he keeps us safe.” 

I cannot emphasize how important the feeling of safety is for Israelis and for being in the Middle East. Whether or not his decisions will keep Israelis safe in the long run is an intense and divisive debate but only the future has the answer to that debate. 

But however you feel about the right or the center, it is important to understand that Israel has a multi-party system so to judge all Israelis because of whatever the election results will be is simply unfair. 

I also want to share a big difference between the Israeli election and the American election. In Israel, most businesses are closed and public transportation is free. Many Israelis enjoy the day off. They get to sleep in. Many will vote in the morning and then take a day trip or go on a hike. 

In the US, well vote if you can. Maybe get up early or go during your lunch break. 

Having the day off seems to help with turnout (as common sense would suggest) so even with two frustrating elections, Israelis are still showing up to the polls. 

I also think this election frustration shows how fragile democratic institutions can be. There is much to be frustrated about but whatever the results of any election, in the U.S. and Israel, let us hope that those governments serve the will of the people. I think about the issues in the U.S. and Israel a lot and the radical politics and gridlock are frustrating. But, I still have hope that moral and democratic values will prevail in the long run.

As I conclude this, I have no clue who will be the Prime Minister of Israel or the Democratic nominee in the United States, but what I do know is that so long as we protect democratic values, they will hold. And if you can, get out and vote!

Happy Election Day. 

Return to the Holy Land - the Promised Land

I am often told that I cannot sit still for too long. I must agree that it true. I cannot sit still. It does not matter what way I am going as long as I am moving in the process. That is why I travel and when an opportunity arose to spend an extended time in Israel, I could hardly pass it up. However, the unfortunate reality is that this is a very controversial place and to make an honest reflection is very difficult and even risky. The problem as I understand it is that there are many sides to the argument, not just two sides. It is not in my interest nor is it my desire to make anyone angry. I am a traveler and a young writer. My job is to explore new (and old) places, meet new people, eat great food, have honest dialogue, and write my thoughts and reflections. So far in this travel blog I have written about Poland, South Africa, and El Paso. None of my posts changed any facts on the ground. My writings did not end antisemitism in Poland, poverty in South Africa, or the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, they did something special. They revealed stories and information to people who had not been much exposed to these topics. My goal is to continue sharing stories and information and for the next 5 months, I will be writing about the Holy Land.

What comes to mind now is a small experience I had on the plane ride to El Paso. I was struck with motion sickness and went to airplane lavatory. A stewardess heard me vomit and when I got out of the lavatory, she made a comment that I am a "loud vomiter" (as if anyone can vomit quietly). She asked me why I was going to El Paso and I told her I was going to learn about the complexities of the U.S.-Mexico border. She asked me if I was going to approach the topic in an unbiased way. I told her I would try.

This memory comes to mind because I expect people will want me to try and keep my biases out. That is certainly a fair request but in a way, that would go against what I am trying to do here. Much has been written on the conflict and there are many great books out there to read from and learn about the conflict. My goal is to write my own thoughts and reflections about what I see and hear so inherently, my biases will be presented in my writings.

So then, if all you know about the Holy Land is what I write about, you will be missing many big pieces of this complicated puzzle. I believe I have a voice to add, but I certainly do not have the only voice that should be listened to. I want that you take what I write and include it the wider range of stories and discussions about the Holy Land. I will write about my experiences and judging based off of what is in my itinerary, it will make some people uncomfortable (probably to say the least of it) but I do not believe in hiding stories so I will share them the best I can in the best of hopes and intentions. I am leaving the comments section open and I encourage questions and thoughts. These can help me write and reflect more clearly. 

So you know where I am coming from, please allow me to provide some background. I am an American Jew. I am the first person in my family to be born in the U.S. Most of my family members live in Israel (and other countries because I have an exciting family with a complicated past). Since I have graduated from university, I have read plenty of books on Judaism, Israel, Palestine, and I plan to continue doing so. I am greatly invested in what happens in the Holy Land. Because of my background, I have a worldview that is shaped by 3,000+ years of peoplehood, religion, trauma, and stories. I consider myself a Zionist. I am a Zionist because I believe in my people’s deep connection to the Land of Israel. I almost a Zionist because I am aware of my people’s history - a history of wandering and displacement - but always facing towards Jerusalem praying to someday return home. I am a Zionist because I know my own familial history. If you want to know a little bit about that, I suggest you read my post on Auschwitz-Birkenau (a hyperlink is below the blogpost). I had family murdered there and it isn’t lost on me that I am so very fortunate to have the opportunity to even exist and this is not a fact I take lightly. I believe that for Jews to live in safety, there has to be a state for the Jews. Part of having safety then would be to have peace with the Palestinians. What that will look like I do not know but what is clear is that neither Israelis or Palestinians are erasable so I support a peace that acknowledges the dignity and rights of both people. As we see a rise in antisemitism across the world, the importance of a state for the Jews has become increasingly more important and I hope that one day, Jews and Palestinians can live in peace and I would be so honored if this blog even slightly contributes to that. 

"You shall neither take revenge from nor bear a grudge against the members of your people; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18)."

I try to live up to this command in Leviticus.

In my attempt to live up to this, I will try to gain a deeper understanding of the Holy Land. In doing so, I will have the difficult task of stepping outside of myself and seeing the complexities in other people’s shoes. That is the hard part. But here is an easier task I will complete. I will sit down and break bread with any person who is willing to speak with me.

For those of you who will be following my journey, I ask that you have patience and understanding. I am not writing to convince you of any form of nationalism. I am writing in hopes of bringing some clarity. I will share my stories as well as the stories of others. Some stories might make you uncomfortable. Discomfort is a part of life and I ask that you stick around. To say this again, I will leave the comments section open and I strongly encourage that you ask questions, leave thoughts, prayers, and comments. I will seek to answer them. Questions help in clarifying the situation.

So please, take my hand and let us go on this journey together - in peace.

Noah Goldman

Personal Reflection of my Visit to Auschwitz-h