Question: I am reaching out to see if there is any way I could be of help in maintaining the kedusha of the Kosel. Recently, there was an article in the Hamodia urging Diaspora Jews specifically to help, as the Reform claim to speak on behalf of the Diaspora Jews. Yet, it was unclear to whom one should voice an opinion, pen a letter, or direct any other helpful advocacy. I was hoping you could give me some clearer guidance. Do our Rabbonim feel that rallies attended by all stripes of Orthodoxy (perhaps one for men and separate one for women) be a helpful endeavor to bring awareness to Israeli secular politicians of our strongly-held beliefs and convictions?
Response from Mrs. Leah Aharoni and I am the Israel Director at Am Echad: There is indeed a lot that American Orthodox community can do to help. I am pasting below my answer to this very question in an interview to Hamodia last week.
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From Hamodia: You can read the full article by clicking here.
Do you believe Orthodox Jews in America and elsewhere can and should get involved in this fight?
Absolutely.
You need to understand that the American Reform have branded themselves in Israel as "Diaspora Jewry." Then they come to the Israeli government and say that unless you partition the Kotel or pass conversion reform, we "Diaspora Jewry" are going to be very upset and cut ties with Israel.
Essentially all of these religious reforms are done in your name! So unless the real Diaspora Jewry stands up and says, "We want to be counted and we want our voice heard," they'll continue doing that.
The frum community needs to stand up and say, "We are the Diaspora Jewry, too — there are actually more of us than the Reform, and we do not want to change the nature of the Jewish State, and they don't speak in our name."
Practically speaking there is a lot that each individual can do.
First of all, they need to educate themselves, to stay abreast of the developments, because we're at a critical junction when there is danger that Israel will lose its Jewish identity. We think of Israel as a Jewish State, but that Jewish nature is falling apart.
Secondly, this needs to become the "hot item" in the community – discuss it with your friends, if you use media, share items and opinions. Hold a parlor meeting or bring a speaker to your community.
Thirdly, you can absolutely write letters, both to Bennett and to Kahana, speak out, and write op-eds. We need to put up the pressure. If you have Israeli friends, talk to them.
Fourth, if you use social media, we welcome you to put up a post describing your connection to the Kotel and your opposition to partitioning it. If you do so, please be sure to include a hashtag #NotInMyName.
And finally, we need to support organizations like Am Echad, which is taking the voice of the frum community to the government.
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