Israel Urges Diaspora Jews to Immigrate, But Questions Remain About Their Welcome

Israel, the Zionist Organization, and the Jewish Agency are actively encouraging Jews worldwide to immigrate to Israel, viewing it as their home. However, a significant question arises regarding the nation's true intentions: does Israel want diaspora Jews as they are, or only as the state wishes them to be? This tension is highlighted by the discrepancy between the enthusiastic calls for immigration and the treatment of religious streams to which many potential immigrants belong.

In the United States, a large segment of religiously affiliated Jews identify with the Reform or Conservative movements. These individuals have established synagogues, rabbis, communities, schools, and traditions. Yet, when invited to Israel, they find that their Jewish identity is not recognized as equal to that of Orthodox Judaism. Their rabbis, while capable of leading vibrant communities in the US, lack the state-recognized status of Orthodox rabbis in Israel. Their communities, important enough to warrant outreach and investment from Israel, find their influence on the Jewish character of Israel diminished.

While Israel desires the connection, support, and immigration from these communities, the article questions whether it truly embraces their form of Judaism. If attracting Western immigrants is a national goal, Israel cannot maintain policies that make a substantial portion of its target audience feel their Jewish identity is second-class. The author argues that instead of expecting diaspora Jews to adapt to Israel, Israel must prepare to receive them.

This means creating an environment where liberal Judaism can thrive and influence Israeli society. It involves accepting Reform and Conservative rabbis, establishing synagogues and educational institutions, and integrating traditions developed in the diaspora into the broader Israeli Jewish tapestry. The author emphasizes that just as Orthodox Jews are free to practice their faith, so too should Jews who have chosen different paths. Israel belongs to the entire Jewish people, not a single stream of Judaism.

Ultimately, the article poses a critical question: is Israel sufficiently open to be a true home for all Jews? If the goal is to attract hundreds of thousands of Jews from the West, it's crucial to understand that immigrants bring not just their belongings but also their identities, supported by culture, faith, values, and community. Those who welcome the people but reject their identities are not genuinely inviting them home. Therefore, while continuing to call for immigration, Israel must first ensure it has created a genuine home for all Jews.