From Discord and Tragedy to Unity and Strength

“Our response to the deepening fissures in Israeli society must be to double down on building a stronger, more unified society with a sense of shared language and purpose,” declares Rabbi Shay Nave, national director of OTS’s Monique and Mordecai Katz Yachad Program for Jewish Identity. “Our shared heritage and values are what unify us and connects us all, so we must harness those common denominators to strengthen our communities, our cities and our country.”

“In Israel, the period between Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day – and Yom HaZikaron – the Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror – is a time when we come together in pain for a process of national soul searching,” says Meirav Azran, the Yachad Jewish Identity Coordinator in the coastal city of Holon.

This year, in the wake of a series of horrific terror attacks and after four months of intense protest from both sides of the looming legislative reform, the weeklong period of Shoah to Zikaron was particularly powerful. Israelis across the country engaged in collective mourning and reflective conversation, trying to make sense of the deep pain and friction.

“Our response to the deepening fissures in Israeli society must be to double down on building a stronger, more unified society with a sense of shared language and purpose,” declares Rabbi Shay Nave, national director of OTS’s Monique and Mordecai Katz Yachad Program for Jewish Identity. “Our shared heritage and values are what unify us and connects us all, so we must harness those common denominators to strengthen our communities, our cities and our country.”

Developing and Celebrating Jewish-Israeli Identity

Throughout the year, the 35 Yachad coordinators working in 72 communities across Israel cultivate grassroots programming, attracting local volunteers dedicated to building community on the basis of shared Jewish values. Discussions about the tone of the events begins through conversations with “the people on the ground” – residents from different religious backgrounds – deciding together how best to bring their neighborhoods and communities together to develop and celebrate a Jewish-Israeli identity.

As part of this community-building process, Yachad coordinator in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem Nechama Alcoby facilitated a conversation with her volunteers about the concept of freedom and the connection between the religious and the national.

“Pesach introduces the concept of freedom and of memory in Jewish tradition, yet it doesn’t stand alone,” she explains.  “Immediately afterward, we remember the victims of the Holocaust, then victims of terror and fallen IDF soldiers. We connect the religious to the national.  We seek to find the points of connection among the volunteers, setting a tone of cooperation and togetherness among them that influences all of the programs they plan.”

Come Together and Talk

In North Tel Aviv’s swanky Ramat Aviv neighborhood, the focus on connection is woven into the format of the Yom HaZikaron program itself. Following a moving presentation from the  bereaved brother of a terror victim, attendees ranging from secular to Haredi participated in round-table discussions about the meaning of gevurah (strength).

“Especially after everything our nation has faced recently, it was important to create a format for people of different perspectives to come together and really talk,” emphasizes Ramat Aviv’s Yachad facilitator, Shira Miller. “This crucial dialogue is something we will continue and expand.”

“Encouraging respect and fostering a sense of unity is central to the mission of all of Yachad’s coordinators, from the southern tip of Eilat to Israel’s Northern border with Lebanon,” asserts Yachad Director, Rabbi Shay Nave. “Yachad brings Jews of all ages and backgrounds together to strengthen apartment buildings, neighborhoods and communities on the basis of deep and meaningful connections, upon which a strong Israel can be built.”

“For the glory of the State of Israel!”

In recognition of this important work, this year two localities honored Yachad with the lighting of a Yom Ha’atzmaut torch in their traditional communal ceremony marking the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day.  Torch bearers are conventionally local and national leaders who give of themselves to the community and to the nation, and who embody the values that we seek to emulate.

In Ramat Yishai, Yachad coordinator Ravit Shebo was chosen in recognition of her work spreading Jewish identity and heritage awareness through appealing informal activities for all ages. The city of Yokneam tapped both the local Yachad coordinator, Shlomit Weber, as well as national director for their response to the current tension and conflict. “With Israelis across he country thirsty for meaning and unity, it was significant for Yachad to be recognized for our national work in strengthening Israel,” says Nave. “I lit the torch in honor of all of Yachad’s coordinators who work day and night with tremendous dedication, to the community volunteers who donate their time to create a caring, involved and united community and – utilizing the phrase used in all official Israeli torchlighting ceremonies – “for the glory of the State of Israel!”