From our founding in 2016, and particularly since the horrific October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent brutal war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Malkhut has affirmed the humanity and dignity of all people living in Israel, Gaza, and the occupied Palestinian territories. We acknowledge the deep fear, trauma, and unimaginable suffering of all who dwell in Israel/Palestine, and we see ourselves as part of an ecosystem that strives to respond to that suffering with compassion and a deep desire for peace. 

 

Malkhut itself is a diverse ecosystem, containing Zionists, non-Zionists, post-Zionists, Diasporists, anti-Zionists, (all of which are diverse ecosystems themselves!), and we contain those who question all of these things. We are a rich collection of questions, doubts and firm beliefs. 

 

In the broader ecosystem that Malkhut is a part of, we often find ourselves creating bridges, bringing the Jewish experience of this moment into multi-faith spaces where our pain might otherwise be unseen while at the same time bringing a progressive voice into Jewish spaces where compassion for the pain of Palestinians might otherwise be absent. 

 

See below for some of the ways we have been thinking and responding, both organizationally and individually, to this moment. As a start-up community, we are just beginning to articulate the values that underlie Malkhut’s approach to Israel/Palestine, and we will continue to share more as our thinking develops. 

 

Rabbi Goldenberg’s messages to the community:

 

• In late October, Rabbi Goldenberg sent this email to Malkhut, laying the foundation for our approach as part of the larger ecosystem of spiritual progressives: 

  • “What does it mean to be part of the progressive ecosystem in this moment?” Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, 10/26/2023

 

• As her work evolved, Rabbi Goldenberg updated the community with this message:

  • “A postcard from my sabbatical: Israel and Gaza on my mind” Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, 1/26/2024

 

Spiritual and Programmatic responses:

 

• Malkhut’s primary response has been to create safe, brave spaces for folks to listen and share with each other as they process their feelings and clarify their thoughts about the war. Over 60 Malkhutniks have participated in 4 structured processing sessions since October 2024, using methods developed by the Jewish Dialogue Project. We brought in a facilitator from Resetting the Table for one of these conversations.

• In July 2024, Malkhut held a 2-session series “Exploring Zionism” to learn more about the history of Zionism from an academic expert and to then explore our individual relationships to the concept. 

• Shabbat services have included prayers, music, teachings, sermons, and group aliyot expressing profound grief for all of the dead, yearning for the hostages to be released, and deep desires for peace, healing, nourishment, freedom, and well-being for all of the inhabitants of the land.

• Rabbi G. has been supporting Malkhutniks one on one with dozens of pastoral conversations about how events are impacting them.

• We have also been sharing ways to help: Ways to Help