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Kesher Israel Skype with Anat Hoffman

02/27/2018 11:38:45 AM

Feb27

Joanna Berke, Chair, Kesher Israel Committee, Temple Beth El

Editor's note: Kesher(meaning connection). The Kesher Israel committee at Temple Beth El attempts to make connections between individuals and organizations in Israel and the United States
Anat Hoffman

Anat Hoffman, leader of the Women of the Wall, and executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, joined the Madison Jewish community via Skype at Temple Beth El, Wednesday, February 7, 2018. 

She began her talk with a few jokes and then plunged into concerns and questions many of us have today. She didn't mince words. Israel, she said is being ruled by a tiny minority of its population. 

She spoke about inequality of women and men at the Wall; refugees now being turned back to their countries of origin where wars are waging; the suffering of Palestinians in the West Bank. Anat spoke about money coming from various organizations and the concerns of how money is being spent.

 

Anat took questions from the group. Some had been sent in for her to view beforehand; some came directly from the audience. The overriding question from all was: what can be done? And Anat's response was direct and challenging.


Her response: what are you doing? She stated clearly that we diaspora Jews need to have our voices heard as much as the Israeli Jews are heard and it is important for us to be aware and engaged. Anat spelled out what we can do - we can watch carefully where we put our dollars, we can write letters to the Israeli Embassy, we can call the Embassy, we can write to Netanyahu, to the Knesset. In short, we can make ourselves heard. If we do this, she said, Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Knesset, will take note!

 

If you would like to be involved in the Temple Beth El Kesher Israel Committee, please contact Joanna Berke at jbee199914@aol.com.

March 28, 2024 18 Adar II 5784