Deanna and I joined over 200 members of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international organization for Conservative rabbis, to hear Israeli President Shimon Peres. Here we are, standing outside the President's house in Jerusalem, before we entered to hear him:
Peres, whose recent 90th birthday celebration included tributes by Bill Clinton and Barbara Streisand, approached the podium after a soaring introduction by RA President Gerald Skolnik.
The President spoke about the importance of Israel being guided by Jewish values such as equality and intellectual curiosity. He urged that the success of a democracy hinges upon protecting people's rights to be different.
Peres has long been a champion of peace against great odds and despite significant opposition. No one can accuse him, at ninety, of being a naive upstart. Rather, with decades of experience behind him and an impressive degree of energy still, he presents as an indefatigable optimist. Deanna and I were inspired by the content and manner of his presentation, as were my colleagues, who gave him a robust standing ovation when he was finished speaking.
In response to a question about conversion standards, Peres told a story about Ben Gurion's meeting with Charles de Gaulle a few years after Israel was established. De Gaulle asked Ben Gurion to share with him his profoundest dream for the State of Israel. More land, perhaps? More resources? Ben Gurion didn't hesitate. He told the President of France that he dreams about one thing, and one thing only, for Medinat Yisra'el. More Jews. He told De Gaulle that he believed that Jews would leave America, France and Russia in great numbers.
"Now that so many Jews have finally arrived from Russia, decades after Ben Gurion's remarks," said Peres, "shouldn't we figure out how best to welcome them as Jews?"
In Peres's presence, my colleague, Rabbi Mauricio Balter, offered the blessing that one recites when seeing a major leader. The sentiments of the blessing have certainly taken root in lifelong visionary leader, President Shimon Peres.
ברוך אתה ה’ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר נתן מכבודו לבשר ודם
Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given Divine glory to flesh and blood.
Peres, whose recent 90th birthday celebration included tributes by Bill Clinton and Barbara Streisand, approached the podium after a soaring introduction by RA President Gerald Skolnik.
The President spoke about the importance of Israel being guided by Jewish values such as equality and intellectual curiosity. He urged that the success of a democracy hinges upon protecting people's rights to be different.
Peres has long been a champion of peace against great odds and despite significant opposition. No one can accuse him, at ninety, of being a naive upstart. Rather, with decades of experience behind him and an impressive degree of energy still, he presents as an indefatigable optimist. Deanna and I were inspired by the content and manner of his presentation, as were my colleagues, who gave him a robust standing ovation when he was finished speaking.
In response to a question about conversion standards, Peres told a story about Ben Gurion's meeting with Charles de Gaulle a few years after Israel was established. De Gaulle asked Ben Gurion to share with him his profoundest dream for the State of Israel. More land, perhaps? More resources? Ben Gurion didn't hesitate. He told the President of France that he dreams about one thing, and one thing only, for Medinat Yisra'el. More Jews. He told De Gaulle that he believed that Jews would leave America, France and Russia in great numbers.
"Now that so many Jews have finally arrived from Russia, decades after Ben Gurion's remarks," said Peres, "shouldn't we figure out how best to welcome them as Jews?"
In Peres's presence, my colleague, Rabbi Mauricio Balter, offered the blessing that one recites when seeing a major leader. The sentiments of the blessing have certainly taken root in lifelong visionary leader, President Shimon Peres.
ברוך אתה ה’ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר נתן מכבודו לבשר ודם
Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given Divine glory to flesh and blood.
Perhaps a better blessing for Shimon Peres? Rabbi Waxman used to recall how President Shazar declined this blessing offered by Jews, preferring "she-chalak michvodo l'yir-eav." After all, the Israel presidents for the past 65 years, have all been Jews. If and when there's an Arab president, then maybe revert to Balter's beracha.
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