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Interview with Eliezer Sheffer
Each in his own path, all together
The Orthodox General Assembly laid the foundation for the creation of a common agenda and the formulation of a shared vision for the larger orthodox world leadership.
A Conversation with Assembly Chairman, Mr. Eliezer Sheffer
A leader from a prominent North-American orthodox Jewish community walked over to Eliezer Sheffer immediately after the Assembly, as its participants were returning from a tour of the Kotel tunnels and prayer by the Kotel wall, and said to him: "Today, I have decided to make Aliyah".
For Eliezer Sheffer, the visionary and motivating force of the Assembly, who has been working tirelessly for many years to bring together different segments of the orthodox world, this was the most, though by no means the only, moving moment of the Assembly.
Question: Why does this moment specifically stand out in your mind?
Sheffer: Because her message expressed Jewish solidarity in its fullest, most courageous sense. She had come as a representative of one of the wealthiest, most vibrant of the Diaspora communities. She is an educator and leader of a school that disseminates the message of Torah and Eretz-Yisrael to her community's children. That by the time she left the Assembly she had already come to view herself as a member of the Israeli community, was a sign of the Assembly's great success, in my eyes. But other moments excited me tremendously as well. Hearing the messages of Rabbis from such distant places as Cordoba in Argentina and Zagreb in Croatia, Istanbul in Turkey, or Belgrade in Yugoslavia moved me, and made me realize how great the need for Judaism is in those places. There is, as the Assembly made abundantly clear, an entire world in need of us, of our resources, and of our help, yearning for inspiration and to be given a role within the shared vision of a Judaism faithful to Torah and to Zion. We are all members of s unified Jewish world, those of us who live here in Israel look to the Diaspora, hoping for the help of the Diaspora Jewish communities, while these communities direct their hopes at us.
Undivided Unity
Question: Is there really such a thing that can be called a shared vision that is common to all in orthodoxy ?
Answer: The very fact that there was a willingness among these various communities and their leaders to gather and to share a variety of points of view illustrates that there is in fact a shared vision and that orthodox leadership from all hues of the spectrum can be united around issues that are not the subject of Halachic or ideological rifts. I am speaking, for example, of the struggle to secure the spiritual integrity of the Jewish people in the Diaspora.
Question: Do you mean that it may be possible to carry through an international unity initiative that would not be possible in Israel alone?
Sheffer: Without a doubt. And I believe that the Assembly illustrated that when the Jewish agenda is separated from Israeli politics and the partisanship that goes along with them, a central question arises: "In what direction does our nation's future lie?". When the question is stated in these stark terms, I believe that the majority of the world's orthodox leaders can unite in order to formulate the critical answer to this essential question. Take, for example, the difficult dilemma that we as Halacha abiding citizens have been living with all these years, which has been reawakened recently with added force. I am referring to the question of the nature of Israel's identity as a Jewish state. I believe this question to be of relevance, and of concern to orthodox communities around the world. The majority of these communities feel a real bond with Israel and recognize it as a center of Torah learning, therefore desiring it to be truly Jewish in its character and identity. This issue is of concern not only to those of us who speak of Aliyah as a possibility, nor merely to those of us who send their children by the thousands every year for a year of learning in Yeshivot and Ulpanot, but rather to every observant Jew. They are concerned by talk of a "secular revolution" as they care deeply for the public sphere of Israeli life. They feel a connection to Israel, and care for her Ruchaniut is what unites them.
Who will lead the Jewish Renaissance in the Diaspora?
Question: This all sounds wonderful, but what would be a shared vision with regards to issues that are not connected to Israel?
Sheffer: We are currently experiencing a tremendous renaissance in Jewish spirituality, and religion around the world. This fact coerces us to formulate a shared vision with which we can all operate in unison, a vision that involves promoting Jewish identity around the world. The communities that yearn and demand for an authentic Jewish identity, require a vast infrastructure of education, of community organization, and of Torah dissemination. Such a task can only be accomplished on the international level on the basis of farseeing vision and insight. This challenge requires the coupling of a wide variety of actions with a united leadership to lead this initiative. And I haven't even spoken about the need for a concerted, unified effort to combat assimilation, disenchantment, and ignorance.
Question: Are you not exaggerating in the dimensions of the renaissance which you have described?
Sheffer: Certainly not! I am convinced, and am not alone in this conviction, that our people are currently experiencing an unprecedented spiritual awakening. Granted, it is not yet precisely identifiable in every place, and has not reached it's high-mark yet in others, however I am convinced that we must encourage this renaissance and direct it in the right path of Torah and observance. Since we are dealing with a spiritual process, we must act rapidly and with great sensitivity, so as not to miss the window of opportunity.
Seeing the Whole Picture
Question: It seems that every orthodox body currently operating in the world is not interested in cooperation with others.
Sheffer: You have touched upon one of our central concerns as an organization and one of the cornerstones of the Assembly. I am speaking of the importance of encouraging our community to see the whole picture. Our advantage, at the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora, is our involvement with many Jewish bodies working towards strengthening Jewish identity and spirituality around the world. At the Assembly, we succeeded in gathering together the authentic and important Jewish leadership from around the world, but also those Israeli and international bodies who are concerned with strengthening Judaism. We brought together such diverse organizations as Eish Hatorah, Chabad, Agudat Yisrael, Yeshiva University, The O.U., Young Israel, the Zionist Kolelim, and Ben- Ami, as well as all the educational institutes for spiritual and religious training of Rabbis in the Diaspora. The message of the Assembly, which was received very well by the various delegates, was that with so many varied needs and demands it must be obvious that no one body or organization can accomplish the great tasks at hand alone. We must each continue to locate and target those audiences that are receptive to our message, and yet remain aware that in our current efforts, we are only reaching a minute fraction of the Jewish people.
I do not wish for my words to be misinterpreted, everyone who is involved in outreach and education is doing truly holy work. Take Chabad for example, who through their intense commitment to Eastern Europe have resuscitated the glorious kingdom of Torah that seemed to have died out during decades of communist rule. Or Rabbi Dovid Refson's "Ner La'Eleph" which is dedicated to building a strong Torah community all over South America and the Former Soviet Union. Or the Stolin-Karlin Chassidim who are performing truly inspiring work in Ukraine. Or the Jewish Agency's new Jewish Identity initiative, which had been reaping very impressive rewards, and to which we consider ourselves full partners. But despite all these impressive programs by the aforementioned organizations, as well those organizations which I have not mentioned here, for which I ask their forgiveness, I still stand firm in my claim that they are only reaching a small percentage of the Jewish nation. There are still too many small, remote communities hungry for Judaism and a deep connection to our nation's treasure- the Torah, which are not being reached.
Our shared vision will provide each body and every organization, operating in its unique, independent way, the proper support and assistance to maximize their potential to the fullest. Above all it will deepen our insight and understanding of the needs and demands of our day, and hence make us better able to formulate and provide answers in the realm of action. This will be possible only through close cooperation and dialogue, and this was indeed one of the Assembly's critical decisions, to continue the dialogue and communication amongst various groups through the Assembly and its various organs.
The failure of mainstream orthodoxy versus Haredi success
Question: How would you compare the role mainstream orthodoxy has played in the Former Soviet Union to that of the Haredi role?
Sheffer: Mainstream orthodoxy may have been the single most important body acting on behalf of Soviet Jewry, ultimately leading to their release from the Soviet Union. One cannot speak of the miracle of the redemption of Soviet Jewry without mentioning centrist orthodoxy and the critical role it played in their release. However, ever since the gates were opened and the iron curtain collapsed, mainstream orthodox communities believed that their work was done. Today, centrist orthodoxy is not active in community building and in resuscitating Jewish life in Eastern Europe. Nor are they involved in the struggle to define the Jewish character of the Aliyah from the FSU. This is in stark contrast to Haredi bodies such as Chabad, Stolin-Karlin, "Ner La'Elef" and others. They are the ones responsible for restructuring Jewish education in eastern Europe, and it is as a result of their efforts that today thousands of Jewish Olim are arriving in Israel on Aliyah.
Each in his own path, using one road map
Question: Allow me to raise a critique of the philosophy that you are presenting. Is it not one of the hallmarks of the orthodox outlook, perhaps even an ideal, that various groups are expected to march separately within the world of Torah and Halacha? We know from not so distant history that Gedolei Torah, Rashei Yeshivot, and Chassidic Rebbes were opposed to united fronts. Rabbi Velveleh Soloveitchick Z"L explained this paradigm according to the parable of the great fire versus the many small flames. When the one great flame is extinguished, complete darkness sets in, however if only one small candle burns out, many are left to compensate.
Sheffer: I have been truly surprised by the desire on the part of all organizations, Charedi or other, to cooperate in Eastern Europe. There are no ideological conflicts, as everyone understands the urgency of operating within a Jewish community that has been severed from Judaism for decades and must be saved. They understand that this unprecedented reality requires an unprecedented response, unlike that which has been offered in the past. This new situation is not unique to Eastern Europe, it occurs in Latin America as well, and even in Western Europe, and demands of us that we march together. As we repeatedly stated in the Assembly, if one reads the current situation properly, one comes to the conclusion that our problems are not limited to Ukraine but occur all over the world, even in Venice and in Trieste, and we must do our utmost to stop assimilation wherever it occurs. We believe that everyone must be allowed to march along their own unique path. But first of all, we must all become aware that there is a map of the Jewish world that is common to us all, a map connecting us all. And it was this map that was revealed in the Assembly. And so we state: let everyone consult this map, and read from it what the truly urgent requirements are today, and then, having been enlightened by this, let everyone continue to march in their own path, connected to their brothers and sisters through this common map.
Question: Do you see room for an increased influence of the orthodox in the general Jewish leadership around the world?
Sheffer: I certainly do. I am certain that since every orthodox body is only concerned with itself and not in a joint strategy, or in involving itself with the general Jewish organizations and federations, which ultimately allocate funds and decide on agendas, the orthodox voice has not been properly heard within the Jewish world. In the international realm, the orthodox community has not provided the leadership it should have to the rest of the Jewish people. In Israel, the religious and Haredi parties have learned to harness their political strength wisely and have achieved positions of power in the municipal and national levels. This has been to their advantage, not only in the financial benefits that arise from this involvement, but more importantly in allowing them to influence the character of the State of Israel and the national discourse. Therefore, I propose that all orthodox organizations and leaders around the world initiate a new chapter of involvement and influence within the general organs of Jewish leadership around the world. I am certain that with the orthodox community's proven commitment and great motivation this initiative will yield great results, seeing orthodox leaders rising to prominence in the general community and bringing their influence to bear on the state of the world Jewish community.
Question: Do you not foresee resistance from the non-orthodox establishment?
Sheffer: I was surprised to find out from the leaders of major Jewish organizations, such as the various federations and appeals, that they welcome such a possibility enthusiastically. I assume that this enthusiasm and readiness to accept the orthodox into the echelons of power is a result of the fact that there, as opposed to here, everything is not dominated by politics. The great Jewish organizations desire the involvement of orthodox leaders for the purpose of Jewish continuity. Anyone willing to further this cause, equipped with motivation and will, is welcomed and succeeds in making an impact.
Question: Are you not concerned with resistance from rabbinical leaders who deter any interaction with world Jewish organizations?
Sheffer: We must make it clear that we have no intention of dealing with issues of Halacha or ideology. We are interested only with saving the Jewish people from assimilation and other threats. I believe that this initiative can be adopted by several prominent Gedolei Torah that comprehend the urgency of the task at hand, and the necessity of working in unison, while allowing each member to pursue their own path. The Assembly has proven, by virtue of the list of delegates and speakers, that this goal is feasible.
Question: The list is indeed impressive and quite heterogeneous, including people who would normally not agree to join forces, but who have you not yet managed to bring in?
Sheffer: One area that needs strengthening is that of Rabbis and Rashei-Yeshivot who hold great sway over the public. However, it is clear that we are still in the formative stages of the Assembly's establishment. As such, the Assembly was a resounding success in convincing everyone of the integrity and righteousness of its goals. This year's Assembly has created the infrastructure for the coming Assemblies, when we can call upon, and draw in, a greater number of participants, and hence increase representation.
Beyond Zionism
Question: World orthodox leadership includes Zionist and non-Zionist groups. Do these different groups have any common ground?
Sheffer: We are dealing with issues that go beyond mere titles and characterizations. We are dealing in the very survival and wellbeing of the Jewish people, and the Jewish character of the State of Israel. This crucial challenge demands in fact that people with very different points of view from across the orthodox spectrum will join forces, if we are to succeed in the monumental task at hand.
Written by: Yoni Stanleigh for Pirsumei Yisarel
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