Embracing complexity, building a shared future

Eighteen years ago, as I packed my bags to be an Israeli emissary in the US, the concept of the “global village” was just beginning to take shape, and the idea that Zionism equates solely to aliyah and physical life in Israel was starting to crack. While physical distances remain unchanged, communication barriers have diminished at an astonishing rate. Aliyah and emigration are no longer one-way tickets. We should harness these transformations to benefit Zionism, both in Israel and beyond.

Expanding circles of belonging

Emigration from Israel is currently making headlines, yet I feel that the public discourse around leaving Israel largely misses the profound changes that have occurred. Many people now lead hybrid lives, living in one country, working with clients in another, and participating in projects in a third. The “threat” of emigration loses its impact when individuals can remain involved and influential from afar. Most of those leaving today view their departure as temporary.

Anger or panic over the current wave of emigration will not help mitigate it. Much of the frustration toward those who leave stems from emotional pain and a sense of abandonment during a crisis, while some of it arises from fear and concern for Israel’s future. The anger toward emigrants reflects a deeper alarm over the unraveling of Israel’s social and national fabric and an anxiety about losing the solidarity essential for survival under constant threats.

Dozens file into Rabin Square October 14 to learn about how to emigrate to Berlin (credit: Lahav Harkov)

I suggest we take a deep breath and calm down. History and the present situation both teach us that maintaining strong connections between the Jewish center in Israel and Jews worldwide is not only possible but necessary. During the Second Temple period, thriving Jewish communities in Alexandria, Babylon, and Rome maintained fruitful, ongoing ties with the Jews in the Land of Israel. If we integrate Israelis and Jews abroad into the daily life of the State of Israel – genuinely involving them in decision-making and collaboration across various fields —we will all benefit.

Recently, under unbearable circumstances, we were reminded just how deep and symbiotic our bond is. The tragic events of Simchat Torah resonated swiftly across every Zionist home worldwide, igniting solidarity and a strong desire to mobilize, donate, and assist Israel in its time of need.

Jewish pluralism as the key to social resilience

Modern Zionism is gradually abandoning David Ben-Gurion’s “melting pot” approach, embracing instead a profound social transformation, in light of discussions around drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, especially after the current war, while respecting their way of life. This is a welcome process of inclusion that will enable more and more diverse groups to take part in the Zionist endeavor. This social pluralism, which recognizes, enables, and supports diversity within the IDF, should also exist in the realm of Judaism.

Zionism in 2025 must embrace diverse forms of Jewish life and allow for multiple ways to live Jewishly in the State of Israel. The Midrash teaches that when the Torah was given at Sinai, each person heard the commandments in his own idiom (Midrash Tanchuma). From this, we learn that divine truth manifests in a myriad of voices and forms, as should Zionism and Judaism today.

Social, religious, and ideological monotony will lead us nowhere. Modern Zionism must be inclusive, open, and multifaceted, recognizing that Israel’s strength lies in its ability to embrace all its sons and daughters – both in Israel and abroad – and view their diversity as a source of power.

This is a Zionism which understands that the way to tackle future challenges is by building a tolerant, inclusive, and community-oriented society.

The diversity of opinions, lifestyles, and worldviews is not a threat. It is the key to innovation, creativity, and growth. The differences among groups in Israeli society – secular and haredi, Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox, Jews and Arabs, veterans and immigrants – are a source of flexibility and strength. To make this land a better place for all its inhabitants, the Jewish and Zionist beit midrash (study hall), in all its branches, must engage in genuine, sincere, and fruitful dialogue – not to erase the differences but to learn to live with them while fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared learning.

Am Yisrael chai!

Our task is to translate this vision into daily reality through legislation, social action, and dialogue between different groups. We must build bridges and nurture the capacity to embrace complexity. This is the key to ensuring Israel’s future as a strong, thriving Jewish and democratic state.

The Jewish people and the Zionist vision will flourish if they adapt to changing realities rather than fear them.

The writer is the CEO of the Masorti Movement in Israel.