WRJ Voices: Vayeilech

The shortest portion in the Torah, Parashat Vayeilech (he went) consists of only 30 versus. Beginning with Moses delivering an encouraging message to Israel that even though he is about to die, God will lead them into the Land, eliminating any obstacles in their path. Moses appoints Joshua as their new leader and then writes down the teaching (Torah) and instructs the elders how the text is to be read, making it inclusive, that men, women, children and strangers are to listen to and learn from God’s teaching. This is also when God anticipates that immediately after Moses’ death, the people will become greedy; and will worship other gods. When Moses finally speaks again to the people, he, too, predicts misfortune in Israel’s future. The treatment of women in this parashah is only mentioned explicitly only once even though they are included implicitly as part of the “people.”

“The Torah: A Women’s Commentary” asks us to consider what the outcome would be if this story was narrated by a woman, specifically, what might a female narrator have considered crucial is she were asked to retell the events of the wilderness journey? What vision of community might she propose?

Living in the desert of Arizona, 90 miles north of the border of Mexico, we read, hear about, and experience the tragic lives, and often fatal outcomes, of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States of America, through the harsh desert, in hopes for a better life for themselves and their families. I must admit I have often wondered whether when one is “illegal” then must there be consequences for breaking laws. There is a tremendous financial burden on our state to process illegal immigrants, pay for medical expenses, educate children, provide housing, etc.  However, regardless of burdens and legalities, no action justifies mistreatment, separating families, and enduring unknown acts of cruelty. Regardless of what is being reported, the fact is there are still many children living in our city, as well as other cities, separated from their families, with an uncertainty of being reunited. As reported in the Arizona Daily Star, a Honduran mother being held in Phoenix was threatened with strangulation if she did not sign documents that gave away rights to be reunified with her children.

WRJ’s long history of advocacy has dealt with immigration reform since 1915. Our first resolution regarding immigration was adopted that year. Our most recent statement on the current refugee crisis was made by our Executive Committee on September 29, 2015, and we had a webinar on the current status of DACA last November as part of the WRJ Women Act. Unfortunately, not only has the issue of immigration reform not changed, but it has worsened to the point of human crisis. After all, we are commanded 36 times in the Torah to remember that we were strangers in the land of Egypt. We are commanded, not asked, not suggested, but commanded, to welcome and respect the stranger.

My synagogue, Congregation Or Chadash, has identified a safe house where children separated from their families are being held. Our Social Action Committee and sisterhood have joined forces to increase awareness of the community of the dire needs of these children. We are collecting necessities: diapers, underwear, shoes, clothing, toiletries, daily necessities needed to survive.  We are also providing food to the shelter until, hopefully, these children will be reunited with their families.

WRJ unveiled the WRJ Women ACT advocacy campaign that provides a plethora of resources on how to become better educated, organize, and advocate for issues that are important to your community or to you as a sisterhood or as a woman. 

Plan to attend the Women of Reform Judaism Social Justice Conference, May 18-19, 2019 in Washington, D.C. to obtain more in-depth knowledge and information about WRJ’s newest advocacy campaign and so much more.

Kol ysrael arevim zeh bazeh, “All of Israel are responsible for each other”.   

Dana Adler is the WRJ Pacific District First Vice President and is the President of Congregation Or Chadash Sisterhood in Tucson, Arizona. Dana also serves on the WRJ North American Board of Directors and serves on the YES Fund Allocations Task Force.