Articles

Ever since the destruction of the First Temple, and even more so since the destruction of the Second, the Jewish people have been dispersed across almost every corner of the earth. This brings an advantage, as it allowed Jewish culture to develop in an incomparably rich variety. Yet, it also brings a disadvantage: many Jewish communities, including the people residing in Zion, do not know their sister communities, and the value of national unity suffers continuously.

Social networking creates a historic, first-of-its-kind opportunity to maintain connections with the Diaspora almost as if meeting in person, not to mention that direct face-to-face meetings can occur as well.

One of the key milestones in the life of a Jew who holds an affinity—even a modest one—to their ancestral heritage is the day they come of age and reach Mitzvah status. Many adhere to the original meaning of the concept: the boy becomes a man and takes upon himself the yoke of the Torah and its commandments. Alternatively, in non-observant families: the youth commits to preserving, in one way or another, a connection to their ancestral heritage. Across the globe, Bar and Bat Mitzvah youths join the Jewish community and its heritage on this personal day as young adults taking their first steps forward.

The "Gesher Shel Zahav" (Golden Bridge) non-profit organization, founded and headed by Adv. Yehuda Zaretsky, is establishing an educational common ground this year among Bar and Bat Mitzvah classes in Israel and abroad: they will hold several sessions on Jewish identity, meet via Zoom, and take part in an experiential tour of Jerusalem. What are Jewish values? The historical foundation of Judaism, which remains significant for a large portion of the nation to this day, is the observance of the Torah and its commandments, along with the rich culture that surrounds it. For approximately 200 years, additional cultural streams have existed within the Jewish people that are not committed to strict observance, yet their Jewish substance draws from the commandments and finds expression through other avenues. A very substantial part of the nation observes the festivals and holidays, preserves authentic traditions regarding major life milestones (circumcision, Bar Mitzvah, marriage, and mourning), learns Hebrew, refrains from work on Shabbat, and more—not necessarily as divine worship, but out of a desire to preserve tradition. For thousands of years, we have also safeguarded the vision of the Jewish people’s purpose in the world: to be "a light unto the nations"—a moral standard that can serve as an example to other peoples.

The values of the State of Israel find clear expression in the Declaration of Independence: diverse Judaism, Zionism, and humanism. The Declaration opens with the Book of Books, and later proclaims its allegiance to the vision of Israel’s prophets, who called upon us to set a moral exemplar for the entire world.

When the Bar and Bat Mitzvah youths arrive for their visit to Jerusalem, they will tour landmark sites: the Tower of David and the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, and Ammunition Hill. At the conclusion of the tour, they will gather for a closing session—a meeting dedicated entirely to unity. We wish for all these young men and women that they may cherish the heritage of their ancestors, maintain enduring bonds with one another for years to come, and prove worthy of the title "Jews" in all its depth and essence.

Aryeh Barnea

The author has served as the principal of five secondary schools in Israel, lectures in academia, and assists in the educational work of "Gesher Shel Zahav."