Dear Habonim Dror Alumni and Friends,
These first days of the New Year have been turbulent for the Jewish world and for the peoples of Israel. We watch with alarm as the war in Gaza continues, with its horrible humanitarian toll on Israeli and Palestinian lives. The anniversary of October 7 re-opened psychological and existential wounds that have not yet healed. There is increased fear for the safety of the remaining hostages. And now the war has widened substantially in Lebanon and the future is very uncertain.
Jewish students have returned to their college campuses with trepidation, hoping that the charged atmosphere of the past year will not be repeated. They, like many others, are trying to sort out the vexing issues of free speech and protest, public criticism of Israel, anti-Zionist rhetoric and blatant antisemitism. All this is exacerbated by the weaponization of this conversation in the current election campaign. In many of our own families these topics are in the category of “untouchable.”
Yet all six of our Habonim Dror camps approached these topics with openness and sensitivity this past summer. The Youth Movement prepared its camp leadership with resources to help them confront these issues with integrity. In the best Habonim Dror tradition, they honored the different ways that love and concern for Israel can find expression. And many of our machanot included the voices of Israeli campers and madrichim who brought their perspective to their North American counterparts.
I ask you to join me in supporting Habonim Dror, so it can continue to be articulate a strong, honest and forward-looking progressive Zionist vision in the North American conversation.
Please contribute today!
Shanah Tovah!
Rabbi Tom Gutherz
Chairperson, Habonim Dror Foundation