1) You’re absolutely right about the need to bolster Israel’s small communities.

2) The reality is that most frum Jews in Canada/U.S. are not planning aliyah, either for personal, professional or financial reasons. This is not right but it is the reality.

3) Life in the “big community” has its benefits and its drawbacks. In a time of recession the drawbacks like high day school tuition, social classifying based on the hat you wear, and the cost of living in a big city all come to the fore. Small communities may not have all the ammenities the big ones do but they offer unique opportunities – a chance for social interaction with non-religious Jews and other religious Jews who don’t share one’s hashkafah, a more affordable standard of living and a chance to be more involved with the children’s education.

How familiar are you with PresenTense? I’m surprised Yossi HaLevy was speaking there.

I sometimes meet secular Jews here in Israel with whom I identify more or feel more connected than some religious tourists, not often, but sometimes.

“There is no Torah like the Torah of Eretz Yisrael.” Bereshith Rabba.

Even some secular Jews who have knowledge of Torah and have actually investigated their Land have something that is just missing outside of Israel, whether in Bnei Aqiva or a Haredi yeshiva.

It’s definitely missing from the OU.

Btw, nice job inserting a French phrase. Much appreciated Sigh.

Cori – The OU’s raison d’être is diaspora Judaism. Therefore they are forced to take views that are clearly incompatible with their declared ideology and faith.

SJ – I am not favoring Orthodox communities over other kinds Jewish communities, or vice versa. As a Zionist, I believe all Jews (Orthodox or not) should make aliyah. While it is not the basis for my view, it is the view of Halacha, as well. The OU, as an Orthodox Jewish organization, should not be pushing for Jews to settle outside of Israel. Their stated religious beliefs should lead them to encourage Jews to move to Israel, not elsewhere.

We talked a bit about Lech Lecha, and the idea that despite G-d’s promises to Avram, Avram had to endure hardships, think critically, work, work, and work in order to reap the benefit’s of G-d’s promises. Mr. OU said that the modern equivalent of this in relation to Israel is not necessarily to be in Israel physically ‘building the nation’- but that ‘most rabbinical authorities agree’ it is more of a service to the land of Israel to live a halachic life, regardless of where you live it.

This was one person, and I sincerely hope that it doesn’t represent the general stance (or official, for that matter) of the OU, but I’m wary of them. It’s true that most olim- from the States for example- that make aliyah are from Orthodox communities, but when I look at the OU, I sometimes feel like the less religious movements actually do more to encourage aliyah than the OU. Sad.

Don’t even get me started. You are absolutely correct to point this out.