By Donna Newman
Three dozen people gathered last week for a meeting of the Sea-Port Chapter of Hadassah — The Women’s Zionist Organization of America. Held at the Comsewogue Public Library, and open to all Suffolk Region members, both North Shore Chaverot (friends) Chapter and Smithtown Chapter were represented, as well as Region Board members.
Sea-Port President Edith Lilie invited Rabbi Josh Gray of Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook to be a guest speaker. Rather than lecture, Rabbi Gray chose to facilitate a discussion on the topic, “Living Jewishly in the Modern World.”
One participant complimented the Reform Rabbi on setting an inclusive tone at the outset, making everyone feel at ease.
“The Rabbi led an engaging and open discussion on what it is to be Jewish, especially since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israeli civilians,” said Heidi Sorkin, a vice president on the Suffolk Board.
“He opened the discussion with a Hebrew prayer, which expresses gratitude for new or special experiences, and that created an atmosphere where Jews from all levels of observance felt comfortable talking about their traditions, beliefs and concerns,” she said.
“What makes you a Jew?” Rabbi Gray asked. And he heard many different responses, among them: birth (it’s genetic), religious affiliation, values and actions, culture, family, choice, commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world), and Ohr L’Goyim (to be a light unto the nations, part of the Jewish Covenant with the Lord).
With four major branches and other smaller offshoots, being Jewish is a multi-faceted and often diverse endeavor. Jewish people are certainly not a monolith. However, a shared history of persecution and survival connects Jews to each other.
Rabbi Gray shared a disturbing fact. He presented statistics gathered by the Anti-Defamation League that document a massive spike in antisemitic posts on social media — particularly on X — that happened on October 7, 2023, as Hamas’ brutal attack on Israeli civilians progressed — long before Israel responded. What does it mean? he asked.
According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2020, Jews made up 2.4% of the U.S. population, and 0.2% of the world population. It is not surprising that 34% of Americans say they do not know a Jew.
Antisemitism is on the rise in American society and throughout the world. Today’s antisemitism may be fueled by religious anti-Jewish themes, usually unfounded hearsay, not rooted in fact. It can also be racial, deriving from false ideologies; Nazism, white supremacy, etc. And now it is also political — disguised as anti-Zionism: the denial of Jews as a legitimate people; the opinion that Israel has no right to exist.
This being his first opportunity to address the Hadassah community, Rabbi Gray said he did not know what to expect. But by the end of the discussion, he was beaming.
“Being in a room full of Hadassah women,” he said, “who are so willing to share and interact when discussing the particularly challenging subjects of being Jewish in today’s world — and antisemitism — gave me great pride.”
Carole-Ann Gordon noted the different communities present in the audience.
“The attendees were from different Jewish organizations and communities, and the discussion brought us all together to form a new, larger entity,” she said.
“Rabbi Gray gave us suggestions on how we can feel more connected to our Jewish identity,” said Stacy Berman, another Suffolk Board member. “Becoming more involved with Hadassah is one way we can join with other Jewish women who share our ideals.”
The session ended with sustained applause, followed by much conversation among the participants.
