by Central Shaliach: Carmiel Frutkoff
Adam Hertzog, NOAM’s national chairperson (parallel to USY’s International
President) spoke last week at a rally that took place by the Prime Ministers
house in Jerusalem. The rally
organized by ‘Tag Meir’ (Translates: A badge of light) came to protest the
growing number of religious based violent acts that Israelis have witnessed in
the last few years. These crimes, committed by radical fundamentalist Jews,
self-titled - Tag Mechir (Price tag) included the destruction and vandalization
of many Muslim and Christian holy sites, allegedly as retribution for violent acts
committed by these minorities against Jews. These vigilante claims hold no
ground as recent attacks on Conservative and Reform synagogues have made clear
to the few who still held on to this notion.
NOAM, the youth movement of the Masorti (Conservative) movement
is not new to religious political activism. While they have always been careful
in staying non-partisan regarding Israeli-Palestinian issues, NOAM’s voice was
always heard loud and clear when it came to issues of religion and state.
Taking an active stance, challenging Israel’s monolithic approach and the
stronghold of Orthodox Judaism over other streams and religions. In recent
years NOAM’s youth could be seen on the front, fighting for the freedom of marriage, LGBTQ rights and the attempts of various Orthodox parties to censor
and segregate women while bringing a fresh pluralistic liberal religious world
view to the Israeli public.
In his speech Adam (17 from NOAM’s Zichron Ya’akov branch ) quoted the declaration of
Independence and called for the youth to take action in realization of the
values it puts forth. “The State
of Israel will be built upon the foundations of freedom, justice and peace as
envisioned by the prophets of Israel… and protect the holy sites of all
religions. As youth we must see forth and do all in our power to bring into
practice the words of our Prophets that come to light in our State's declaration
– Equality and mutual respect for all.”
He called out for all youth movements to not just teach
tolerance but to join NOAM and be pro-active in creating high profiled
Inter-faith dialog so that the perpetrators of these hideous crimes will see
that they stand alone. “We can’t
ignore it… We must confront the violence and hatred that comes from within our
midst as we would expect others to do… those who teach hatred in the name of
the Torah distorts it’s entire essence. ‘Derachha Darchei NOAM’, Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.”
Adam plans to reach out to
USY and to NOAM chapters worldwide in a call of support and encourage them to
join NOAM Israel in the effort of creating interfaith dialog.
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NOAM teens at the rally. |
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Swastika’s drawn on
the welcome sign of Moreshet Yisrael (Fuchesburg center/Beit Nativ) in
Jerusalem.
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NOAM chair, Adam Hertzog speaking at the rally last week.
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