What happens when rabbis from Australia, Europe, Canada, South America and the United States of America come together in a call to build the Land of Israel? Well, a great deal. On Keren Hayesod’s 10th anniversary, in 1930, 500 rabbis from around the world demonstrated their support in an unprecedented campaign, a special proclamation calling to continue Keren Hayesod’s work to build the Holy Land. What led to the proclamation was a dispute between secular Zionists and workers organizations on the one hand and religious and ultra-Orthodox Jews on the other. Despite the conflict, both sides understood the critical importance of continuing to build the Land. The proclamation stated, among other things, that “this sacred enterprise, which has begun to grow and prosper, urgently requires us to raise our voices once again and to awaken you to the obligation that lies upon all of us to continue our work and our efforts in the great mitzvah that we have begun”. The language of the proclamation, uniting so many rabbis from around the world, was a revolutionary step that succeeded in bringing together Keren Hayesod and Jews all over, regardless of their beliefs or deeds. To this day, the chief rabbis continue to support the work of Keren Hayesod. We quote here the warm words of Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, one of the most important rabbis in Israel, who was the chief rabbi of Israel and chief rabbi of the city of Tel Aviv, and also served as chairman of Yad Vashem. In 2016 Rabbi Lau congratulated Keren Hayesod, saying, among other things: “I send you my heartfelt blessings. May your achievements this year, on behalf of the community and on behalf of the individual, surpass those of last year, in your work to further the State of Israel, to advance the wellbeing of its inhabitants, to bolster its standing and to strengthen it throughout the world… Keren Hayesod has many accomplishments to its credit in the history of the renewed Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel and you continue to carry the torch of history to future generations. I wish you success in whatever you do; the Lord is with you”.
Photo: The proclamation of 500 rabbis in 1930, calling to support the activities of Keren Hayesod