A group of haredi Jews in Israel
created uproar among the more secular Israeli majority by hosting a barbecue in Jerusalem’s Gan Sacher park on Holocaust Remembrance
day. The event, had by most accounts around 200 haredi in
attendance, though the number is disputed. It was held at the same
time as the Yad Yashem Memorial service. This comes as part of a
larger issue of Israeli haredi refusing to observe a national pause
and moment of silence in remembrance of Holocaust.
Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger echoed
the thoughts of many of his constituents in condemning the haredi
actions. Metzger scolded, “There is no
reason that a Jew shouldn't learn to elevate the souls of the six
million today [Holocaust Remembrance Day].” He denounced the
haredi, describing them as a people who deliberately separate
themselves from the greater community. Metzger continued, “ […]
to go and make a barbecue at a time when Jews are in mourning and are
in pain over six million people? How is this permissible? It is a
desecration of God’s name.”
The haredi
justification for these actions was explained by Efraim Zuroff of the
Simon Weisenthal Center. He claims the reason lies in their inherent
unfavorable position toward traditions established by the state.
More specifically, haredi oppose any commemorative ritual that does
not have Jewish religious roots, such as sirens or observing a moment
of silence. They also believe in strong connections between the
Holocaust and the establishment of the current State of Israel,
something the anti-Zionist haredi do not support.
This article
connects well to our recent class discussions of the clash between
Haredi and more secular Jews, as well as the viewing of Kadosh. It
is a striking example of the predisposition of some haredi to clash
with the general populace. The subject matter of this article also
touches on the extreme reverence Israelis place on the Holocaust and
its connections to the establishment of Israel. It exemplifies the
depth of anti-Zionist belief in haredi culture.
Matt Leap
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