Alef: The NEXT Conversation

Supporting Jewish Causes

by Tracie Karasik

There are too many evil people in the world looking to destroy, defame, or humiliate the Jewish people. And this sad truth is unfortunately not a novel one. For thousands of years, Jews have been easily targeted as the scapegoats, being blamed for all the problems in the world, persecuted for their beliefs or religious traditions, or had their reputation marred by those who lack tolerance and foster hate.

I feel that it is my responsibility as a Jew to be a champion of Jewish causes. I believe that it is an imperative responsibility as a Jew to preserve, to advocate for, and to give to Jewish causes primarily over those that are not.

That does not mean that I do not advocate for global, secular, or non-Jewish causes, because in its essence, the values of Judaism reflect that of tzadakah, righteousness and doing the right thing, and tikkun olam, repairing the world. Judaism, after all, teaches that performing both ethical mitzvot as well as ritual mitzvot are of paramount importance to the process of tikkun olam. Additionally in Jewish thought, carrying out acts of mitzvot includes giving to all of humanity, not just ourselves. In fact, most Jewish non-profit organizations provide aide to both Jews and non-Jews alike. However, I believe that there are causes worth fighting for, and that helping to ensure the Jewish future, caring for Jews in need, and supporting the land of Israel are foremost on my list.

If we, as Jews, do not support each other than who will? What will be left of the Jewish community and of Jewish traditions if we, ourselves, do not stand behind and provide for each other? We must take a proactive and thoughtful approach towards supporting Jewish organizations and causes around the world. If not, future generations are at risk of losing the indispensable traditions, moral code, and incredible strength of community that have enabled the Jewish people to thrive and exist for over 5,000 years.

One critically important program that exists today, which has sent nearly 300,000 young Jewish adults from all around the world on a free 10-day educational trip to Israel is Taglit Birthright. This program has fostered the growth, solidarity, and reconnection of young Jewish adults to the land of Israel. If not for programs like Taglit-Birthright, supported by organizations such as the North American Jewish Federations, the Jewish Agency for Israel, The Birthright Israel Foundation, the Government of Israel, private philanthropists, and Jewish communities around the world, there would be a dramatic decline in Jewish relevance among contemporary youth, an increase in the division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and an even more dramatic rise in assimilation. In June of 2010, I was fortunate enough to participate in a Taglit-Birthright trip to Israel. I would like to share with you a little about my story and how it has affected me in a positive way, however, my story is just one of the thousands of young, Jewish adults who just like me were awarded the opportunity to go to Israel.

From beginning to end, it was evident that the entire trip was extremely safe, well planned, and structured with great care and thoughtfulness. During the trip, I especially felt especially connected to my Jewish identity while visiting Independence Hall in Tel Aviv. It was there that I listened to an actual recording from May 14, 1948, of the voice of David Ben-Gurion, who had declared the creation of the State of Israel from the exact location where I was sitting. Following that, the Hatikvah was played, and I not only felt like I was a part of one of the most significant events in Israel’s history, but that I was proud and grateful to be a Jew in Israel. Furthermore, one of the most significant moments in my life was experienced while in Israel, when I visited the Western Wall. The instant I laid my hand on the wall, feelings of pride and excitement mixed with empathy and awe filled within me, and I began to burst into tears. I felt my Jewish heritage stemming from thousands of years come alive. I felt a deep sense of gratitude to be able to be there as a living descendant of the strong lineage of the Jewish people. To be able to stand there in that moment, and touch a lasting remnant of The Old Temple, in a Jewish country, in which millions of Jews in history had only dreamt of being able to do, was truly remarkable. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and humility.

Going to Israel not only strengthened my connection to Judaism, but has led me to feeling a much stronger commitment to living a Jewish life, raising a Jewish family, and supporting the Jewish community here and around the world. The continued support of programs such as Taglit-Birthright help to allow each new generation of young Jewish adults to understand their Jewish identity and motivate them to give back to the Jewish community and Israel.

Jewish causes need a place now more than ever. I believe that charity is a fundamental part of the Jewish way of life and that we need to invest in the future of the Jewish people or risk losing it all because of the lack of it. We are such a small percentage of the world’s population, and the survival and prosperity of the Jewish people rests on the amount of support that others can provide for it. I am committed to supporting Jewish causes primarily over those that are not because the future of the Jewish religion, its people, and its posterity depends on the present.

 Photo by zeevveez, licensed under Creative Commons.

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