I am a “political animal”. Strange as it sounds, I simply enjoy closely watching our political process; intimately following our democratic wheels in action, trying to understand the motives and agendas of our politicians and happily analyze all these to the few who really care to hear. I decided years ago that the smell, the heat and the dirt of the political kitchen itself was too much for me so I am taking the privilege of staying on the balcony and observing. I guess I am an “apolitical-political animal.”

During the late eighties and early nineties I was more actively involved: I was the chief lobbyist for “The Israel Religious Action Center.” In that capacity I spent much of my time in the Knesset promoting religious pluralism, social justice and human equality among our cynical public officials. It was a hectic, intense time of many struggles, debates, legislations and Supreme Court appeals which tried to define “who is a Jew” while shaping the nature of Israel as a Jewish - democratic state. I had the honor of taking an active part in all this turmoil. I loved my job and fully identified with the values I was paid to promote. I learned a lot about the nature of politics, the methods of its operation, the process of decision making and the behind-the-scenes action. I then moved on with my professional life and my days in the Knesset seemed like an old sweet memory from a millennium ago. One could say: “The Animal” took a nap but didn’t go away.”

Last week I found myself back in the Knesset and not as a tourist. I was participating in a major lobbying effort to stop MK Rotem’s “Conversion Bill," a legislation that could endanger many achievements in building a more pluralistic society here and severely harm Israel Diaspora relationships. After all these years "the animal" woke up and looked for the hunting ground. Here I am again wearing the same old lobbyist hat, doing the same, unpleasant at times, but always exciting, holy job on behalf of the Jewish people. It was a great opportunity for me to compare notes and see what had changed in the heart of the political arena and what had not. Here are some of my observations:

• The Knesset building was renovated and expanded over the years. It is now much wider and more respectful than what it used to be. The MK’s now have nice, fully equipped offices, and a dedicated team of assistants. Many of them even wear suits and ties. Yet the primitive, informal, Israeli lobbying techniques remains the same: go to the old “Member’s Cafeteria.” grab a table and a few chairs, wait until the members stop by to eat and socialize, catch their attention, tell them who you are and what your issue is. The informality goes both ways. Amazingly enough most will be willing to sit down with you and hear your concerns. This is the beauty and the vitality of our democracy. In this way our team met with some 50 members within a couple of days. Quite impressive as this is almost half of the legislative branch.
  
  
• In the old days it was mainly the liberal religious movements who were active in such lobbying efforts. The Federations and the national system, while taking it very seriously, did not do the leg work and relied only on the common sense of the MKs and the connections they have with the higher hierarchies. This has changed dramatically: Around our “cafeteria table”, other then Reform and Conservative leaders, there were also the leaders of the wider Jewish communities. Jerry Silverman, President of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) delayed his flight home and stayed here 12 days to lead the team. Our own Exec, Max Kleinman of UJC MetroWest N.J., put aside all of his community responsibilities and invaded the Knesset with much passion, for the sake of a larger cause. Natan Sharansky, Chairman of JAFI was intensively present as well. Their visibility and active efforts were highly appreciated and played a key role in defeating the bill.
  
  
• The texts, expressions and language that the MKs were using in their conversations have remained almost the same but the responses from our team were totally different from 20 years ago and reflected the new reality and the new paradigm in Israel Diaspora relationships. Here are some quotes from memory. Don’t even try to look for the names behind the initials. Everyone will deny that it was ever said.

  MK R: “You have to come on Aliyah and become Israeli citizens before you tell us Israelis what to do and how to vote." "You know what R? We have the full right to be here and to share with you our concerns on this matter. Israel is our state as well and its character is just as important to us as it is to you, although we don’t live here permanently.” “And also dear MK R, perhaps the chicken comes before the egg? Maybe a pluralistic and tolerant Israel will encourage more of our youngsters to visit and study, perhaps even make Aliyah?”

  MK D: "You always threaten that such legislation will make your communities disconnect from Israel and yet when we need your support you are always with us so why bother?”. "You know what D? Unfortunately this is not the case anymore. Perhaps the people that you see here in the cafeteria will always be with Israel but our next generation is in a different place. We can’t afford to lose more of our kids just because of a political deal between ‘Shas’ and ‘Yisrael Beitenu’. Israel needs us for Hasbara and to lobby on her behalf. We will not be able to do it effectively if we are not treated as true partners.”

  MK S: "You do not understand the issue. It is not against you. It will not affect anyone abroad. It will only help hundreds of thousands of Russian Olim to be converted." "You know what S? We know exactly what is going on and we have enough connections and sources to educate ourselves about it. We probably know the language and implications of this bill more then most Israelis and many of the MKs themselves. It won’t solve the Olim conversion fiasco. And also, even if it does not affect us in the Diaspora directly, we still care. The pluralistic nature and future health of Israeli society is just as important to us as are our own communities."

• The global village is alive and kicking. I still remember standing all night near the good old fax machine, informing the Diaspora communities about such things. It took forever to mobilize the Jewish world, explain to individuals the meaning of legislations or ask them to send letters (remember letters?). With modern technology and full access to information, we are one not just in spirit, but also in body. The e-mails, petitions, blogs, posts and tweets were flying back and forth above the ocean in huge numbers. Tens of thousands of them landed on the PM’s personal computer. Even if he didn’t have the time and energy to go over all of them, he got the message and it was loud and clear. I truly believe that this electronic traffic was more influential than the few old fashioned telephone calls that he received from his major supporters abroad. In any event both methods were effectively implemented and the result was a clear cut message from the prime minister expressing his opposition to the proposed law.
  
  
• Lastly, only top down efforts will never hold water in the long run. The real challenge that we were facing twenty years ago and until now is building bottom up pressure on decision makers. Indeed Israeli law makers do not have a defined geographical constituency to which they are accountable, the way it is done in the US. However, if we are able to connect between Israeli grass roots groups and Jewish communities abroad and if we present the political system as one unified force, our voices will be heard louder and be taken even more seriously. In this regard I have seen a huge social change during the last two decades. It is a result of two different but related processes:
  
  
  1. The establishment of real partnerships and “living bridges” between communities in Israel and the Diaspora, mainly through P2K.
     
     
  2. The “Jewish Renaissance” amongst secular Israelis reclaiming their Jewish identity in an authentic pluralistic way.

  UJC of MetroWest is a leading force among North American communities in developing, supporting and actively participating in these two phenomenons. We are an active player in educating Israelis about the global Jewish world and the importance of peoplehood. That is why it was very natural for us to be present in the Knesset and it was natural for the others to see us there.

So now what? We have to be constantly on alert because the threat of this and other bills are still there. We have to be present as active players, on the ground of our partnered communities, on the scene of the Jewish renaissance, around the dialogue tables and in the Knesset corridors. We need to educate Israelis, whether public officials or ‘Amcha’ about the identity of Diaspora Jewry. We need to host as many Israelis as we can in our homes and communities. We need to build the living bridges and at the same time make sure that no one destroys them. I will personally continue to “feed” the “political animal” in me. With it, I will proudly develop my unique schizophrenic identity as a Shaliach, representing Israel to the Jewish community and as an Israeli, representing Diaspora Jewry here.

Drishat Shalom,

Amir

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