Lapid has been a leading voice on many issues that impact the Jewish state as a journalist, a current member of the Knesset, and as Israel's finance minister. He is consistently on a short list of I sr ae li leaders who have the potential to become a future Prime Minister.

 

Most relevant to his visit to Bet Torah, Lapid has been a strong voice for pluralism an d  vocal supporter of Masorti, our sister movement in Israel. His party is a partner with our movement in the World Zionist Organization and he has spoken out forcefully in the Knesset for the vision of an Israel that makes a place for al l  types of Judais m as you can see  here.

We will be partnering with Masorti to host him and discuss issues of pluralism from expanding options for Jewish practice, such as making a place at the Kotel for those who practice egalitarian Judaism which the Supreme Court will  pronounce on tomorrow, to issues of personal status like defining "who is a Jew" as played out this summer with the  controvers ial conversion bill.

 

In America we say that the promise of a "more perfect union" is ongoing and never finished. When we recite hatikvah and say "to be a free people in our land" this too is aspirational and the efforts to make Israel feel like a home for all Jews is continual work, as sacred as settling the land.

 

Lapid will deliver the sermon and then he will stay for questions and informal conversation in the library during Kiddush lunch. If you plan to join us we ask that you let us know so we can plan accordingly. 

We hope you can join us!

Aaron