ISRAELI TRADITIONS

& HEBREW:

A PATH TO JEWISH
& ISRAELI IDENTITY

by JENNIE STARR

I am part of a Jewish community that celebrates Jewish holidays through Israeli traditions, that believes a working knowledge of Hebrew is helpful to be able to relate to Israel and that is passionate about staying connected and supportive of Israel and of Israelis living here.

At a time when Jews in large numbers remain unaffiliated with synagogues, enrollment in Jewish day schools is at risk, and favorable impressions of Israel are at an all-time low, we are finding that American Jewish communities can be strengthened through Israeli language, culture and traditions.

The Tarbuton, an Israeli Cultural Center in San Diego, focuses on nurturing Jewish and Israeli identity and providing Jewish education for the next generation. It provides a Jewish community and Jewish education for American Jews and Israeli Americans who have opted out of organized Jewish life but who relate to both Israeli culture and Hebrew as a second language. Some Israeli cultural activities are conducted in English and bring the community together to enjoy Israeli films, dance and literature, while others are conducted in Hebrew and provide a home for those who are most comfortable in a Hebrew-speaking environment. They also provide a path for those interested in developing proficiency in the Hebrew language. All the programs are geared toward developing a love and passion for Israel.

Jewish Holidays Israeli Style

Given the opportunity to join others who cherish Israel and/or speak Hebrew, this community gathers in large numbers, generally outdoors, for celebrations resembling holiday traditions in Israel. They meet at long tables to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and share traditional foods of pomegranates and fish. Pesach seders with tables of pot-luck meals and homemade Haggadot are not uncommon. For Lag BaOmer, we celebrate at a bonfire with potatoes strung together, playing guitars and singing Israeli songs late into the night. Tu b’Shvat involves planting trees, taking nature hikes and educating children about the seven species.

There is a method to this madness. It means that Masoret, or tradition, is important to people. It means that finding a community that celebrates together is important. And it means that if the right balance is struck, this community would prefer to be Jewish together than not. To that end, finding ways to celebrate Jewish holidays Israeli style can create and sustain a meaningful Jewish community and preserve Jewish life.

I experienced one of my favorite Tarbuton Tu b’Shvat holidays at a camel dairy. Located in a wildfire area of San Diego County, the dairy had lost many trees in a fire the previous year. The owner, an Israeli-American, invited the community to spend Tu B’Shvat there and to help replant some of the trees he had lost in the fire. I did not know until we arrived that he had rented a tractor and dug massive holes for the trees, which he had purchased and placed beside them. When our group of more than 200 people arrived, we spread across his beautiful, hilly property, several families along each hole and tree. In the quiet backdrop of the moment, I looked up in the sky, took in the laughter and hard work of the children with their parents, and felt the holiday in a way I never had before. This was Tu b’Shvat, Israeli-style. As we sat over our picnic afterwards and I watched my children laughing and running in the outdoors, I felt truly blessed.

Hebrew Language Proficiency

It turns out that Hebrew is also important. Why? Because for many, Modern Hebrew is important to feeling connected to Israel. To that end, we take Hebrew education seriously and weave in Israeli classic children’s stories and instructional materials authored for secular use in the public schools in Israel. These materials connect our children not only with the literature that is taught to Israeli children, but also with well-known authors who are a part of Israeli history and life.

For this mixed community of Americans, Israeli-Americans and Israelis, we serve a niche that provides support for families and adults who want to make Aliyah, for Israeli-Americans returning to Israel and for children who have transitioned from day school to public school. We are able to support both beginners and native Hebrew speakers. Separately, we offer after-school bilingual and beginner classes on the campuses of public elementary schools, and we support the creation of a local Hebrew Language Charter School. All of these options provide opportunities for the Jewish community and the general public to learn Hebrew as a modern, living language for conversation, engagement and connection.

Israeli Culture: Music, Dance, Film, Literature & the Rest

Finally, for some in the community, food, music, dance, film and literature create meaningful connections to Israel and to each other. Children join our Israeli Dance and Singing Troupes and learn about current and classic Israeli singers and the diversity of contemporary Israeli music. It means the world for parents to hear their children sing the classic songs that they sang themselves as children and to share with them the history of the songs and the singers. Adults join in our Moadon Seret (Israeli film group) and Moadon Sefer (Israeli literature group) and see Hebrew-language Israeli performances.

There are significant benefits to building community in this way. First, a segment of the Jewish population will engage in Jewish life when it is meaningful for them and their families. Second, a passionate, Israel-oriented, Hebrew speaking community will almost certainly support Israel and stay connected to Judaism. Finally, we believe this type of community can have an impact on the local non-Jewish population, providing it with opportunities to learn Hebrew and appreciate Israeli culture as well. ■

Jennie Starr is the Director of the Tarbuton Israeli Cultural Center in San Diego. She is a member of the San Diego Israel Advocacy Forum and the AIPAC Council. She is a passionate advocate of Hebrew language proficiency in both Jewish and public school settings, lending her hand to found a Hebrew Language Charter School in San Diego and advocating for Hebrew-language instruction in San Diego public schools. The Tarbuton is a project made possible by the Community Innovation Fund of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. http://www.tarbuton.org.