Vayakhel (Shekalim): Learning to Count in Israel

"Not very long ago, a kindergarten was opened in one of the Masorti [Conservative] Movement’s communities in northern Jerusalem. The 
community’s female rabbi, Rabba Chaya Rowen Baker, told the children a story featuring a Rav (male rabbi). When she finished, one of the children raised a hand and asked: What’s a Rav? She thought about it for a moment and replied: "A Rav is a Rabba who is a man."

This wonderful anecdote was written by Yizhar Hess, the head of the Masorti movement in Israel; the partner-movement of Conservative Judaism. This weekend, around the world, communities are celebrating Masorti Shabbat. 
I thought I would use the opportunity, here on the blog, to speak a little bit about Masorti Judaism in relation to this week's Torah reading, focusing especially on how every Jew "counts."

The not-so-long road to Pesach has begun. On the Jewish calendar, we know Passover is close when we celebrate the first of four (really, five) special Shabbatot. And indeed, that season has begun; this week is 
Shabbat Shekalim. The name refers to a tax that was collected during the Exodus, and which was used as a census to determine how many adult, male Israelites were actually wandering through the desert. The Haftarah for Shabbat Shekalim mirrors the special Torah reading by recounting a similar tax taken generations later for the upkeep of the Temple in Jerusalem. It seems appropriate to me that Masorti Shabbat should take place on Shabbat Shekalim, because it's about the efforts and the strength of the community as a whole; when everyone COUNTS and everyone's contributions are valued. 

Today in Israel, the non-Orthodox movements struggle. The state only condones Orthodox marriages, divorces, and conversions, and the (Orthodox) Chief Rabbinate frequently bullies the other denominations. It's easy to get discouraged. The struggle of Women of the Wall to gain acceptance at the Kotel; news headlines about women being forced to the back of public buses; special needs Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies being canceled because of their affiliation with non-Orthodox rabbis - these are all depressing stories. 

But there are hopeful signs as well. Over 75 Masorti congregations exist in Israel today; many having been founded in just the last few years. Masorti communities are changing the way Israelis understand religion and religious observance, and the word is getting out. According to Hess: "One poll after another in recent years show that the Israeli public has changed; that it has become more open in terms of its Jewish identity to a much greater extent than some people want us to know, that it does not fear different models of Jewish practice, and that it is happy to experience them."

It only takes one generation for a child to grow up thinking rabbis are mainly women, and for that child to be surprised to learn men can do it too! But change is only going to come when we PUSH ourselves and one another to be better, and to expect better things from our leaders. 

The oppressive religious fundamentalism in Israel is beneath us, and it's antithetical to the notion of EVERY person's contribution being important. We all count. In the Ancient world it was just the battle-ready men who gave a half-shekel, but that is not our world anymore. All people - men, women, straight, gay, trans, white, non-white, of all denominations, secular, and no affiliation - all of us contribute to the totality of Jewish life, in the Diaspora AND in Israel. But it is not a passive act, to be counted. We must count ourselves, and we must include all our fellow Jews. So stand up, add your half-shekel, and make your voice heard for pluralism, inclusion, and diversity in Israel today.

Photos in this blog post:

1. A classic photo from the Jewish Theological Seminary, showing several women wearing tefillin.

2. The Masorti Israel logo.

3. CC image of a Judean half-shekel courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group, Inc at http://www.cngcoins.com

4. CC image, "Pride Minyan," courtesy of נמר ערבות סיבירי onWikimedia Commons
5. CC image courtesy of Pc84 on Wikimedia Commons