From Neot Mordechai, Torah Emerges

The following story describes the beautiful people of Israel who, undoubtedly, can bring us closer to both spiritual and physical redemption, if we only believe. Neot Mordechai, a kibbutz located among the kibbutzim and moshavim in the Upper Galilee, will next week fulfill the dream of several kibbutz members and the unified vision of beautiful Israel. Despite the secular nature of the kibbutz, it will next week welcome the inauguration of a new synagogue, catering to the needs and requests of some kibbutz members.

What is even more heartwarming is that the story behind the scenes does not stem from conflict but is, in fact, an exemplary case of precious Jews not afraid to let others follow their faith openly.

The connection between kibbutz members and Judaism is not new. Back in the 1960s, one of the kibbutz founders, Ze'ev Ben Chaim, returned to Judaism. After becoming more established in the Jewish world, he initiated Friday night prayers with a minyan in the library, children's homes, the clubhouse, and any possible location on the kibbutz. Later, Torah lessons were held by Rabbi Tzefania Drori, the rabbi of Kiryat Shmona, and gradually, a handful of people began to discover Judaism from angles they hadn't known before, each in their own way, in their own deeds.

The lifestyle and Judaism of some members were never prominent or overemphasized in the community, allowing those interested to join quietly and modestly, without interference or anyone raising an eyebrow. This was democracy at its best.

The Need for a Synagogue

The idea to establish a synagogue in Neot Mordechai came from the parents of members who immigrated from Europe and South America to follow their children. They wanted to pray together, especially on the High Holidays, and the kibbutz provided them with a youth group's classroom that had been renovated. There always was a warm spot for traditional members among the secular kibbutz members. Before Yom Kippur, members and their children were asked to sign a registration sheet at the entrance to the dining room if they intended to fast; dozens signed up every year, even though most fasted without actually praying in the synagogue.

In the 60s and 70s, the kibbutz hosted groups of young Americans from the Young Judea movement for six months, who wanted to experience kibbutz life while learning Hebrew in an ulpan established on the kibbutz. They also requested to conduct traditional Friday night prayers and celebrate Jewish holidays with song and prayer in public.

As mentioned, during this period, an older couple, Valda and Ze'ev Ben Chaim, began showing interest in Talmud studies with Rabbi Tzefania Drori and were looking for ways to observe Shabbat properly, tired of walking along the Jordan River to the synagogue in Kibbutz Kfar Blum. A group of parents and kibbutz members conducted Talmud studies and prayed on Friday nights once more in the youth club. Later, they started praying in the children's library, in addition to the Talmud lessons held in the members' club. Rabbi Drori performed numerous weddings on the kibbutz, and there was a natural shift towards wanting to celebrate Jewish holidays differently than before.

There is no doubt that the combination of Rabbi Drori and the Ben Chaim family initiative brought them to the point where they stand today. Subsequently, the Hesder Yeshiva in Kiryat Shmona, along with its administration, rabbis, and students, got involved. Every year on Yom Kippur, kibbutz members had the opportunity to pray with a minyan thanks to yeshiva students who would come to the kibbutz for Yom Kippur, elevating the spiritual mood immensely.

Destruction Leading to Construction
On the evening of the 12th of Elul 5769, the prayer hall in Kibbutz Neot Mordechai was set ablaze. As the flames raged, members entered the fiery scene and rescued the Torah scrolls from the ark before the fire could reach them.

Following the fire, the kibbutz assembly decided to establish a synagogue. After extensive efforts and overcoming complex bureaucracy, the group succeeded in obtaining approval to construct a modest synagogue.

Shimon Alexander, a kibbutz member and one of the initiators of the synagogue's reconstruction, shares the beginning of the kibbutz's historical ties to Judaism: "Neot Mordechai's society from the day it was founded was liberal and open-minded, sometimes apathetic. When we built our cider factory in the early 60s, we had to oversee kosher laws. When we wanted to market our fruit crops, Tnuva [Israeli marketing company] required us to adhere to kosher laws concerning the mitzvot dependent on the Land of Israel. The kibbutz founders understood that to earn a livelihood, adherence to kashrut demands was necessary, and suddenly everyone realized that kashrut and Judaism were not out of bounds but part of our lives.

"The kibbutz assembly decided unanimously to build a synagogue. The public responded and donated money, and the kibbutz contributed a significant amount. Until now, we have prayed in a temporary spot in the kibbutz, where we've held prayers on Shabbat and holidays, or we went to the synagogue in the neighboring kibbutz, Kfar Blum - a 3-kilometer walk. After the synagogue fire and the trauma that came with it, a group of members and kibbutz offspring gathered who felt the lack of a prayer venue burning within them. We chose a team that volunteered to work tirelessly to establish a permanent synagogue structure, refusing to settle for sharing an existing building like a youth club or children's library. After several meetings with the community administration, we sought assistance from the Upper Galilee Regional Council, and the kibbutz assembly concurrently passed a historic resolution to establish a synagogue on the kibbutz. Everything was in process, as we learned from Ecclesiastes: 'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,' and Ecclesiastes continues to write, 'a time to build.' Indeed, the time has come!

Happily, our friends in the regional council management took up the challenge and liaised with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which provided a significant amount of money for the project, with no strings attached, but for a limited time span. We quickly realized that the allocated amount would not meet our needs, and to complete the work, the kibbutz, via its management, added a large sum of money. Moreover, committee members appealed for donations to build the synagogue. Contributions came from families of Hesder Yeshiva students in Kiryat Shmona, who have prayed with us on Yom Kippur for two decades. Kibbutz members also contributed according to their ability and willingness. In addition, we received donations from outside organizations and even from individuals and communities abroad. As a liberal society, we mobilize to help whenever necessary. Our members have never been asked to contribute to a public building, but when the request came, the public rose to the challenge, resulting in our poised readiness to inaugurate our synagogue at an auspicious time."

It is difficult to say that there is a trend of religious strengthening or signs of a return to roots in the kibbutz. The place remains secular and liberal. "What characterizes the synagogue-goers is a mix of ages, cultures, and needs," says Shimon. "There are dilemmas related to our cultural design, and the privatization process in the kibbutz has amplified them. On the other hand, there is a yearning to return to the roots among quite a few people. Recently, we have started taking in new members again, after a long halt, waiting for privatization processes to conclude. We hope new members will also visit the synagogue, such as the children of converts returning for Shabbat visits who love the welcoming way they are received, the beautiful demeanor, and the desire to observe Shabbat according to halacha in a secular environment."

Ravid Dnan, a kibbutz member involved in the synagogue project, adds: "I would say there's a special sense of mutual respect in Neot Mordechai among everyone. The uniqueness

is that everyone respects everyone else. Most of the community is liberal and does not criticize those who wish to pray, quite the opposite. The synagogue is a great opportunity to show that there's another aspect to Neot Mordechai, and if a guest or a friend's parent hesitates to visit on weekends because of being religious, they can now come and even join an active minyan on Shabbat and holidays. There are also members who left Neot Mordechai, returned to Judaism, and are now returning to find a vibrant synagogue."