You are invited to join CBH’s newly forming Israel Havurah (“group”). This group is intended to promote learning about and supporting the people of Israel, guided by the principle: Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace.

As war has raged for the last seven months in the Mid-East, our Israeli cousins have suffered tremendous losses, have been displaced, have had missiles rain down upon them from the north, south, east and west, and continue to have their very existence threatened by enemies large and small. They are a nation in trauma. 

Four months ago many in the CBH community came together to help fund the recovery of Israeli communities that were attacked last October. Of course, the need for continued support, advocacy, and education on matters pertaining to Israel is greater than ever.

With this in mind, we are forming an Israel Havurah (a CBH “Common Interest Group” according to the by-laws). 

The goals of this group are:

1. To be a voice of Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace advocacy, both within and beyond our synagogue.
2. To facilitate education on Israel and Zionism in our community (the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable) among adults and youth.
3. To advance ways of financially helping Israeli entrepreneurs and small businesses by creating opportunities for us to patronize their businesses as customers and consumers.
4. To explore options and hopefully go on a CBH trip to Israel in 2025.

What we are not:

1. We are not right-wing, absolutist, messianic supporters of the current Israeli government.
2. We are not discounting Palestinian suffering, or any injustices Palestinians are facing at the hands of Israel and others. On the contrary, pursuing justice for Palestinians is one of the core goals necessary for creating a peaceful future.
3. We do not see this issue in black and white. It is not a binary conflict between ‘good guys and bad guys’; but instead as a clash between two oppressed peoples entangled in a complicated and heartbreaking web of enmity and bloodshed.

What we are:

1. We are non-ideological, welcoming those with a wide variety of views who wish to be supportive of Israel and its people.
2. We affirm that, as Jews are a people, that we are responsible to help other Jewish communities in need.
3. We are critical of the Israeli government’s positions, conduct, goals, and tactics.
4. We are guided by the core values of social justice, tikkun olam, and listening to and learning from those with different views. We embrace the principle of B’tzelem Elohim, that all people are made “in the image of God.”

Please join us for our first meeting on Thursday, May 16, at 7:00pm at CBH. 

All are welcome! We need you, your insights, your energy, and your care.

Sincerely,
Reuben Haller