To the Editor:
May I take the liberty of commenting on one point in Rabbi Herbert Weiner’s article, “The Liberal Religious Impulse in Israel,” published in your issue of August. The author quotes the former minister of education, Mr. Shazar, as saying with regard to “any need for liberal religion in Israel”: “When I have a yen for religion, I know two or three nice Hasidic shtieblach where I can go and satisfy my soul.” A Yemenite woman named Rachel (who in this case seems to represent the author’s views) points out that for people like herself, “or for that matter to most Israeli youth,” the “sentimental journeys to the shtiebl could mean nothing.” At this point, the author tells us, Shazar shrugged his shoulders. Now I merely wish to point out a well-known fact which might have escaped the author during his trip to Israel. . . . Many people “like Rachel,” i.e. Yemenites, and Sephardim of various denominations and origins, and Israeli-born sabras, do come to Hasidic shtieblach, not only for “sentimental journeys,” but for guidance and spiritual comfort in everyday life. There is one main sect of Hasidism . . . known as “Chabad” or “Lubavitch”—which has a great many adherents . . . not only in Israel, but in the various countries of origin of the “Lubavitcher.” These Hasidim maintain a large network of educational activities for children and adults in French Morocco and other North African countries. Literally thousands of North African Jews are staunch “Lubavitcher”—in every way of life.
In Israel, too, hundreds of children-Yemenites, Sephardim, sabras, etc.—go to “Chabad” schools. The adults may hardly be able to pronounce the name of that Byelo-Russian town, but they also have become “Lubavitcher Hasidim.” Come to the village of Safariah (near Lydda, on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway) on the 19th of Kislev, when the residents are celebrating the anniversary of the liberation of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyadi, and you will behold literally thousands of Jews, mostly of the younger generations, from all corners of Israel, of all origins, joining in the enthusiastic celebration. Hasidism appeals to the hearts and minds even of people “like Rachel,” at least as much as American Liberalism, however “Israelized”—to put it mildly. . . .
Uriel Zimmer
U.S. and U.N. Correspondent for
Jerusalem Daily Hakol
Brooklyn, New York
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