Several years after the U.S. government moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, the then Israeli ambassador to America, Ron Dermer, contacted his personal friend, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland. He asked him to organize a mission to Israel comprised primarily of Conservative, Non-denominational, Reconstructionist, Reform and Renewal rabbis.
The ambassador’s concern was that too many non-Orthodox rabbis were expressing unwarranted criticism of Israel both in their sermons and writings. His hope was that a guided trip to Israel might stem, if not soften, their rhetoric.
As an outgrowth of that mission, The Zionist Rabbinic Coalition (ZRC) was formed. Today the coalition is comprised of more than 1,000 rabbis from different denominations, assorted political affiliations and diverse geographic backgrounds.
In the few years of its existence, the ZRC has become an effective rabbinic resource, providing a forum where kindred spirits can gather — aiming to strategize support for Israel and Zionism. The organization’s tag-line declares its purpose: “Rabbis Promoting Unity with Israel.” Under the guidance and inspiration of Rabbi Weinblatt, its founder, the ZRC began in August of 2020 and was incorporated in February of 2022.
Those dates are significant because sandwiched in between came a surprisingly depressing letter issued by nearly 100 rabbinical students, all of whom were future non-Orthodox rabbis. The signed letter, dated May 2021, accused Israel of being an apartheid state where “violent suppression of human rights occurs regularly.”
The newly formed ZRC promptly responded to the rabbinical students with a letter of their own, reproving their actions and challenging their assertions. The ZRC collected more than 600 signatures from rabbis across all denominational boundaries in condemnation of these future rabbis.
As worthwhile and beneficial as the ZRC is, something doleful lurks behind its reason for being. Seventy-seven years after Israel’s miraculous creation, the fact that we need a pretext for rabbis — of all people — to safely express their unapologetically pro-Israel, pro-Zionist convictions is an indictment of our time. Today “Zionism” is a dirty word. The simple ideal of Zionism is arguably more polarizing today than it was when Theodor Herzl proudly stood before his First Zionist Congress in the late 19th century.
Cause and effect invariably bring about change. Residential building codes are beefed up after a hurricane, a fire, or an earthquake. A stop sign is installed after a car accident.
So too with the ZRC. It came about as the result of a need — to speak out and defend against the many smears delegitimizing Zionism, and Israel’s right to self-determination. The ZRC came about to stand up to the relentless pressure placed on Israel’s very existence — not uncommonly expressed by Jews themselves.
The members of the ZRC are a sophisticated bunch. They read The Atlantic. They read The New York Times editorials and columnists. They’re well aware of Peter Beinart’s work. They struggle with various policies Israel’s parliament advocates. They’re grounded in reality; they struggle with political paradox; they adhere to the timeless Biblical principle that all humans are made in God’s image. They eschew utopian idealism.
Since its inception, every May, the ZRC offers a three-day conference held in our nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. readily lends itself to political figures and think tanks, making the location ideal for academics, journalists and pundits to interact and present to the rabbis in attendance. This year was the ZRC’s fourth consecutive conference. Like previous years, this year’s conference was balanced and filled with insightful content. Upwards of 75 rabbis including myself participated — a nearly fourfold increase from the organization’s first conference, just four years ago.
This year’s ZRC conference began with a student panel. Five young Jewish collegians gave a first-hand description of what’s happening on college campuses, and how they are coping.
After them, Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School, reflected on his experiences on campus post-Oct. 7 and how they affected his Jewish identity.
Author Lee Yaron followed, sharing insights into her recent book, “10/7: 100 Human Stories.” As with all the presentations, questions and answers followed.
Later that evening, the rabbis of the ZRC dined with Israel’s deputy ambassador to the U.S., Eliav Benjamin.
The next day began with a lecture given by the president of The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Alyza Lewin. Her focus was in keeping with her life’s passion: advancing civil and human rights of the Jewish People. The topic she chose: “The Latest Trend in Antisemitism 2.0 — the Denial of Jewish History and Peoplehood.”
Author Yardena Schwartz followed with a PowerPoint talk on her latest work: “Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre that ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict.” So insightful was she, it was nearly impossible not to buy her book at the conclusion of her lecture.
Interspersed between the presenters, new for this year, were poems written by Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi. Read out loud, the poetic selections were descriptive, impassioned and effective in their ability to pinpoint relatable aspects of Oct. 7. Though the poems were anything but analogous to a spoonful of sorbet served between courses at a gourmet restaurant, they helped maintain the atmosphere in the room, linking one speaker to the next. They were a meaningful addition.
Different from years past, a study component was also added to the conference. Led by author David Hazony, his topic for discussion was “You’re Fired! An Unconventional Reading of Elijah and the Kol D’mama Daka (a thin small voice).” For a room filled with rabbis representing the different streams of Judaism not to study together would be a shame, a missed opportunity. The learning session was a welcome add-on to the conference.
The executive director of the American Jewish Medical Association, Michelle Stravitz, followed, informing the group of antisemitism in the health and medical professions. A shocking and disheartening, relatively new development across parts of the U.S. and Canada.
The day concluded with dinner served at the Museum of the Bible where the rabbis were warmly greeted by some 300 pastors representing several pro-Israel, pro-Zionist Christian groups. The evening’s featured presenters were House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
The last day of the conference began on Capitol Hill with an exceptional address given by David Adesnik of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy. He spoke on “The Threats, Challenges and Opportunities Facing Israel: Making Sense of the Current Situation and Beyond.”
Broken up into smaller groups, participants of the ZRC then joined a varied group of Christian leaders and organizations. Rabbis and pastors, regardless of their political sensitivities, visited senators and congress members in their offices. A total of 100 appointments were arranged.
Four agenda items were put forward at each meeting: 1) Advocating ongoing support for Israel. 2) The return of the hostages — living or not. 3) Demolishing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. 4) Putting a halt to antisemitism — particularly on college campuses.
Later that day the groups of Jews and Christians came together, one last time, to celebrate Israel Independence Day. Among the other speakers presenting was the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter.
Rabbi Weinblatt shared the hope that next year’s conference will top 100 participants. Given the depth of the conference’s presenters, the sophistication and learnedness on the part of its membership and, most importantly, the increased need to combat anti-Israel, anti-Zionist animus, the likelihood of the ZRC’s continued growth is all but assured. For my part, I cannot wait to attend next year’s conference, along with the many more that inevitably will follow.
Michael Gotlieb is rabbi of Kehillat Ma’arav in Santa Monica.
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