Searching for Identity in Tel Aviv State

Suddenly, they rose from their seats, their eyes displaying a pointed expression. With defiance, they asked, "Why should we only marry among ourselves? Why should we not accept all people as they are and blend with everyone? Why do you say a Jew should marry only a Jewess?"

They are students from a well-known Tel Aviv high school, and he is a Chabad emissary in central Tel Aviv. This small story is one of many that occur in the splendid synagogue of the Chabad emissaries in the heart of Tel Aviv, just above Shenkin Garden. Rabbi Yosef Gerlitzky leads it, warmly hosting the many tourists who seek to visit it throughout the year.

Rabbi Gerlitzky. Thirsty for Hashem's word

"Groups from kindergartens, schools, of all shades and affiliations come to the synagogue for various events," explains Rabbi Gerlitzky in a conversation with Hidabroot. "These can be Torah celebration festivities or events held before holidays like Shavuot and Sukkot, and generally to hear about Judaism, to see the sights up close and to smell the scents. And don't think these are purely synagogue visits, rather a general tour including, to differentiate, visits to churches, mosques, and more."

Throughout the years, Rabbi Gerlitzky has encountered thousands of children, teenagers, and even adults for whom this is their first encounter with Jewish-related matters, and even if they've heard something at some point, they truly do not know what it's about. And when they come to the synagogue, there, in Israel's great city, they reveal a thirst and desire to know more.

"This is how it is," says the Rabbi plainly. "When you speak to their soul, convey an undiluted, true, and honest message, the children are simply drawn to more knowledge and show great thirst."

And he answers them to the best of his ability, and as they understand, each according to his age and level. But to Rabbi Gerlitzky's dismay, not everything is as rosy as it seemed so far. He often encounters formidable barriers and pronounced ignorance, which has led him to raise a significant number of Israel's education ministers on their feet. "I think at the toast in the Ministry of Education this year, I was the most senior," he says half-jokingly, yet a bit sadly. "To their credit, this time I didn't encounter fierce opposition."

What is the opposition and what happened this time? Well, Rabbi Gerlitzky has plans, which he cannot detail at this time, but their essence is deepening Jewish identity among Israeli students. "Are you talking to me about content?" he asks when I press, following the Ministry of Education's desire to include more Christian content in school curricula. "Way before the content, it's vital to know what 'the Genius of Jacob' means, to acknowledge they belong to the chosen people, to know they are the children of the holy forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

It’s not for nothing that Rabbi Gerlitzky fights for the inclusion of Jewish identity in the education system. The latest story that deeply pained him he describes without many words: "I am used to the glances of discomfort from educators, counselors, etc., especially when I explain to kids what Shabbat is, that it is a gift from Hashem, a day of rest, but they generally remain silent and allow the visit to conclude nicely." This time, a rare incident occurred when a teacher from an elite school in the heart of Tel Aviv found it hard to restrain herself when she saw her students’ great thirst for everything sacred, quickly interrupting the visit in favor of... a church. "They were 12-13 years old, and were very excited when we talked about bar and bat mitzvahs. The children expressed interest and couldn't stop marveling. The teacher sitting on the side noticed there were a few teens who wanted to put on tefillin. She immediately stood on the bimah of the synagogue and stopped our conversation: 'Children, I'm glad you listened nicely, I hope you'll show the same interest in the lecture you are soon to hear in the church, which will certainly be fascinating as well.' It's hard to describe the sadness she managed to make me feel. This basic lack of Jewish identity is immense and sad, and it makes me understand the real situation of the young generation in Israel, not for nothing have we reached a state of assimilation more than the Jews of Canada. There's no connection. And without connection, there’s no point in keeping an identity," he concludes with pain.

When asked towards the end if the Rabbi is optimistic, he doesn’t hesitate. "I was at the toast in the Ministry of Education, and I placed the issues on the table. Without a tone of criticism, without reprimand, just plain facts. I see how our children are drifting away from their roots and cannot remain silent. It must not be allowed to happen. And I'm telling you, if in the lion's den sat education heads of all kinds in the country, kibbutzim, secular, religious, Arabs, all of them, and listened to the issues and allowed them to be heard on Rosh Hashanah eve - I'm very optimistic."