What Clavicular’s Israel Trip Reveals About Us
I’ve been following the debate over Clavicular’s visit to Israel.
Many people were upset he came. Others argued that it was a missed opportunity to introduce his young Gen Z audience to a side of Israel they rarely see — the beaches, the nightlife, the vibrant culture, and the energy of modern Israeli life.
But I wonder if we’re still asking the wrong question.
As we begin the last book of the Torah, (Sefer Devarim) Moshe prepares the Jewish people to enter the Land of Israel. But before he speaks about the land itself, he reminds them who they are. Because before we can influence the world, we have to first know who we are.
Soon afterward, Moshe tells them, “Ki hi chochmatchem u’vinatchem l’einei ha’amim”—this Torah is “your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations”. (Devarim 4:6)
Notice the order. The Torah never tells us to earn the world’s admiration by showing how much we’re like everyone else.
It tells us to have the confidence to live our mission. The admiration will then come afterward.
In my work at MJE, we’ve always understood that people often need an invitation before they’re ready for inspiration.
A Shabbat dinner. A social event. A great community. A fun night out – (MJE just hosted another great Cocktails on the Roof)
Those things matter. They’re often the doorway.
But after 27 years of doing this, I can tell you no one is inspired by Jewish life because of a party.
They’re inspired because they discover meaning. They’re inspired because they find purpose. Because they realize Judaism isn’t just a culture to belong to. It’s a way to live. It’s a relationship with God and an answer to some of life’s deepest questions.
In just a couple of weeks, I’ll be leading another MJE mission to Israel. Of course, we’ll enjoy the incredible food, the breathtaking nature, the vibrant energy and everything that makes Israel such an amazing place to visit.
But that’s not why we’re going.
We’re going to experience the places where our story began. To stand where our prophets walked. To meet the people building the Jewish future. To discover that Israel isn’t just a vacation destination but the home of a people with an eternal mission.
That’s the Israel I’ve spent my life sharing. And I believe it’s the Israel the world is truly searching for.
