Good news but justice delayed

Despite the good news about the return of the hostages, we cannot forget that we have just experienced the horror of murders on Yom Kippur in Manchester, UK. This act of hatred on our holiest day affects all Jews everywhere. Klal Yisroel — we are all one. Just look at the security that all congregations in the United States must now employ to ward off attacks aimed at our prayers on our holy day — prayers for an accounting of our own conduct and for reconciliation with our fellows. This need for safety will not end with the return of the hostages.

In the spirit of Yom Kippur — heshbon hanefesh — we also need to look inward.

A little over five months ago, Orly Erez-Likhovsky, the head of the Israel Religious Action Center (Reform Center for Religion and State), was injured by a right-wing mob in Ra’anana, Israel, when leaving a service at the Progressive Congregation there. Her “sin”: trying to build a bridge between Arabs and Jews in Israel. Her reward: being stoned by the mob and forced to seek emergency treatment at a nearby hospital.

In response, the local Likud Party spokesperson threatened further violence. Yet Orly wrote recently:

Tomorrow the pogrom in Ra’anana will be five months old.
Zero arrests.
Zero charges.
Selective enforcement, anyone?
A disgrace.

I am a member of the Governing Board of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. We are comprised of liberal Jews from six continents with thousands of congregations. I feel we must speak out when our colleagues in Israel are attacked with impunity. We must demand that these aggressors, who besmirch the good name of Israel, be brought to justice — even as we grieve for our victims in Manchester and elsewhere, and celebrate the hostages’ return. Justice is impartial. If we are not safe in Israel, where can we turn?

Later this month, the World Union for Progressive Judaism will gather 150 delegates from Progressive congregations around the world. This gathering will include a plea for the safety of all of us, no matter where we are. To this end, we should address the failure of justice for our colleagues and friends in Ra’anana. Justice denied is contrary to everything that the Israel we love represents.

We cannot remain silent in the face of this injustice, even as so much — some of it good — swirls around us. We must speak out and pursue justice, as our Torah commands.