Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Mark Goldsmith write about a joint Progressive visit to Israel:

This month, we led a combined group of Ark Synagogue and Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue (EHRS) members on a trip around Israel.

Ark and EHRS members held a ceremony at the Nova Festival Site for Jake Marlowe z’’l

We met people of diverse backgrounds – Jewish, Christian, Druze, and Muslim Palestinian citizens of Israel – in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and the Gaza Envelope.

Everyone we spoke to expressed their appreciation for our presence, shared serious worries about the Israeli Government and told of their primary concern for the return of all the hostages.
What became clear is that we have had too few conversations with those people who are ‘us in Israel’. Progressive Jews. Jews who want to bring solutions and not be part of the problem. The only way to a clear understanding of the situation and what we can do to contribute is to be part of the conversation – and to start that conversation we need to be in Israel.

This appreciation began at Tel Aviv University where we spoke to students Maharan, Laura and Dan (Druze, Cuban Olah and Sabra). They shared what this country means to them.

We travelled to the devastated Kibbutz Azza, right on the border with Gaza, together with a group of Israeli Progressive Jews. Singing Oseh Shalom together, within a kilometre of Northern Gaza, aware that shelling was continuing, was an extraordinary experience and builds our resolve that peace must come soon.

To then stand in prayer at the memorial for Jake Marlowe – a young adult of EHRS who was murdered on 7 October 2023 – among the hundreds at the Nova Music Festival site gave us space to recognise the deep trauma among all in Israel.

Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and their EHRS and Ark group with the Erez-Likhovsky, Director of Israel Religious Action Center

There is also a struggle continuing within Israel which needs our support. This was so clear when we visited the Supreme Court and the Knesset with the Israel Religious Action Center. The Basic Laws which protect the rights of all in Israel – Jews, Palestinians and all minorities such as LGBTQI+ people and refugees – are under threat.

Finally, we visited six Progressive synagogues nationwide, where we were welcomed with such delight.

This trip showed that Israel needs us to be there. Israel needs our care and participation. Israel can be a place of meeting and co-existence for Jews and Arabs, for right and left – and we can go and help by visiting and strengthening the millions who share our vision.