The uniqueness of Beit Emanuel
Prof David Bilchitz Member of Beit Emanuel Berlin, Germany
From its superb choir to its weekly Friday night dinners, its weekly Talmud class to its soulful services, it stands tall among congregations worldwide in the depth and breadth of its activities (only a few of which could be mentioned here).
It is thus with sadness that I have read the recent articles in the SA Jewish Report which highlight unprecedented attacks on the congregation by nameless, disgruntled members and attempts at interference in the autonomy of the congregation by certain external bodies in the Jewish community.
I am currently on sabbatical in Berlin but have been kept informed about these developments by members of the community.
In celebration of Sukkot and the tremendous value of hospitality and openness it represents, once a year, Beit Emanuel opens up its doors to other faiths. The congregation has never (and I hope will never) stand at the gates and interview people about their political views on Israel, South Africa or anything else.
We invite people to pray with us from whatever background they may come and so we hope to build bridges of understanding and respect for one another.
Enabling members of other faiths to join us in prayer on Sukkot, in no way represents any agreement with their political views on Israel, South Africa or any other matter.
Our community has also always sought to reject an apartheid-era logic that seeks to create lists of banned persons. Most of the Beit Emanuel congregants I know disagree with the BDS movement and some of the tactics it has used, but refuse to use similar methods in response.
Those of us who maintain faith in democracy, fundamental rights and in basic Jewish values, will refuse vilification as a mode of engagement: rather, we will continue always to support respectful dialogue. This is indeed the spirit of Beit Emanuel and its wise leadership and long may it continue.
