THE (DIS)COMFORT ZONE

 By Robert Katz

 Nachum ends his show each morning with the words “Acheinu B’Yisrael, anachnu imachem” – our brothers and sisters in Israel, we are with you. Never have those words resonated so deeply in my mind, heart and soul than on this trip these last few days.

 Having worked for Israeli non-profit institutions for nine of the last eleven years, I thought I had my priorities straight. But on this trip, my eyes were opened to a different side of Israel that I had taken for granted. Thought about-yes. Felt in my bones-no.

 But then we met Ami Braun, a Yeshiva student in the Old City whose part-time job is giving guided tours of our holiest of holy places- the Western Wall tunnels. His dedication and commitment to the Land of Israel and its deep historical and religious roots was unabashed. If that wasn’t enough to earn our respect, then this twenty-two year old soldier of history told story upon story of even more devoted and dedicated Jews, who sacrificed life, family and wealth to be closer to their spiritual yearnings for Hashem. My gosh- thousands of our brethren lived-and died- at the foot of Beit Hamikdash.

 Then came Nadav Shragai, author and correspondent for the Israeli daily Ha’Aretz,  who brutally awakened us to the awkward slumber of a nation suddenly (or gradually?) losing its willpower, its desire to fight for what Ami Braun tells us so many did 2000 years ago. The famous words of the first Israeli soldiers to reach the Kotel in 1967 were “Har HaBayit Byadeinu”- the Temple Mount is in our hands. We learned that, in the year 2000, “Har HaBayit B’yadam”- it’s in their hands. Tonight, I went out and bought his book. So what if it’s in Hebrew.

 After Ami and Nadav came David Wilder, the guardian angel of the city of Hevron. Whether you agree or disagree with the politics, there’s one thing for certain- he and his fellow Hevronites live their daily lives on a firing line. Our fellow Jews in Hevron dodge bullets and bottles (rocks ain’t nothin’), ration their water, and patch leaky pre-fab caravan roofs like you and I go to Pathmark.  All for the cause- if they don’t do it, who will?

 And finally we met Sandy, the nice American lady now living in Gush Etzion, whose in-laws were part of the original group of Etzion Bloc settlers. Sandy runs the multi-media history presentation of  the early rise, devastating fall, and ultimate rise again of the Etzion Bloc. Screenings are scheduled ad hoc. A highly intelligent women who could have a successful career most anywhere, she chooses, along with her volunteer assistant, to nestle herself among the hills and eucalyptuses of Gush Etzion, telling its story to anyone who will listen.

 Listen, and learn. From Ami the tour guide, Nadav the journalist, David the pioneer, and Sandy the idealist. From all of them I learned, finally, I think, to appreciate what we  as Jews of the Diaspora have. But the lesson is a double-edged sword, for the same messages have also taught me that while the Young Israel of Whatever is a beautiful structure with great Shiurim and Kiddushim, and while the Yeshiva of Wherever might have the best teachers in North America, they  can’t hold a candle in the tunnels that Ami, Nadav, David and Sandy live in every day of their lives.

Our brothers and sisters in Israel, we are with you indeed.