Jews disagreeing is not news.
When the entire organized Jewish
community speaks with a similar voice on an important issue, THAT’s news.
In the past week, vocal opposition
has been growing to the separation of families at the border. Under the policy
implemented in recent months, every illegal migrant who crosses the United
States border is prosecuted and detained. Since children cannot be
prosecuted with adults, they are reclassified as unaccompanied minors,
separated from their parents, and taken either to mass children’s shelters or
foster homes.
Numerous religious groups have
opposed the policy. In recent days, the Southern Baptist Convention and the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have criticized these actions. In the
Jewish community, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) spearheaded a letter that was signed by more than two
dozen Jewish groups from across the communal spectrum.
Breaking apart families is just
plain wrong, and it is not in accordance with Jewish values. As the
Jewish communal letter states:
As Jews, we understand the plight of being an immigrant
fleeing violence and oppression. We believe that the United States is a
nation of immigrants and how we treat the stranger reflects on the moral values
and ideals of this nation...
Our Jewish faith demands of us concern for the stranger
in our midst. Our own people’s history as “strangers” reminds us of the
many struggles faced by immigrants today and compels our commitment to an
immigration system in this country that is compassionate and just. We
urge you to immediately rescind the “zero tolerance” policy and uphold the
values of family unity and justice on which our nation was built.
Initially, the letter included
only one Orthodox signatory - Uri L’Tzedek, The Orthodox Social Justice
Movement.
What about other Orthodox
organizations? Where was the voice of my
community on this matter? This is not an issue fraught with
ambiguity. This is not a question of
whether or not one supports President Trump. This is about families. This is about children.
Has our community really reached
a point where we can’t find common ground to speak jointly on an issue on which
we feel strongly has a Jewish point of view?
Is this another manifestation of our hyper-politicized environment? Can those who are more favorably inclined
towards the Trump Administration not join in criticizing a policy which so
clearly goes against our religious values?
Thankfully, it was only a matter
of time. The Orthodox Union (OU) issued
a statement expressing concern regarding “any
steps taken that affect families and the parent/child relationship” and
reported on their raising this issue in a private meeting with Attorney General
Jeff Sessions. The next day, the OU added its name to the letter. Yesterday, Agudath Israel of America, which
represents some of the more traditional elements within the Orthodox community,
added its voice of “deep concern and
disappointment over the recently adopted policy of separating the members of
families who have entered the United States illegally...We implore that the
policy be immediately rescinded, and that affected families be reunited.”
Neis gadol haya po - A great miracle has happened here! The Jewish world can still unite and speak
with moral clarity.
The Jewish community has spoken
out together in defense of the sacredness of the family unit. Regardless of the complexity of addressing the
issue of illegal immigration in this country, it is encouraging to see Jewish
communal leaders – along with thousands of individual Jews – making a unified statement
on an important national issue.
How can we make the moment last?
I wish I had the magic formula.
I do think that a little more humility might help.
The issues
confronting the Jewish community and the world today are complex, and our
community is more diverse with very little middle ground remaining for genuine
discourse. The battle for the hearts and minds of our community - and
our children - will not be won with angry pronouncements. We can be committed
to our own views, but we are stronger when we include consideration and
discussion with those who maintain an opposing view. Even while disagreeing on
other fronts, we need to find the confidence to speak out together when we
agree that Judaism has a position that adds to the public discourse.
