In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Rabbi Rachel Timoner, who is the leader of the largest liberal synagogue in Brooklyn, prayed for assistance and fervently supported Israel. She had previously spoken out against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conservative government, but she quickly returned to her pre-war position as the Israeli conflict in Gaza stretched on.
Her most influential member of the congregation followed suit on Thursday.
The United States’ support for the Israeli government would not be endless or unconditional, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American politics. In a speech on the Senate floor, Schumer warned Netanyahu and called for a new election. The leader’s outspoken support for Israel underwent a change with this statement.
It was deemed “a good speech” by President Joe Biden.
Even Schumer’s rabbi, who hails from Brooklyn, was beaming with pride.
“In this speech, he said what most of us think,” Timoner, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim, told AWN. The American Jewish community has been understandably wary of publicly condemning Israel. Breaking that quiet was what he accomplished so magnificently.
Near his Park Slope, Brooklyn home, Schumer has been a regular attendee of Timoner’s synagogue for the past ten years or more. After burying his father, Timoner performed the wedding ceremony for his daughter and blessed his three grandchildren.
Agudath Israel and other Orthodox Jewish groups blasted Schumer for what they saw as her interference in the affairs of another country.
According to her, the liberal Jewish viewpoint that Timoner represents—a “reform, pluralistic community”—is frequently overshadowed in American discourses regarding Israel.
Do you think Schumer got the message? Was it also the correct moment?
To paraphrase what most American Jews are whispering amongst themselves, he stated categorically that Bibi Netanyahu is reducing Jewish and Israeli security.
A two-state solution is something that Netanyahu has categorically rejected. Thus, he stands as a barrier to harmony. I agree that Senator Schumer was courageous and correct in her statement.
On occasion, the most outspoken members of the Jewish community are those on the extreme left or right. And then there’s the silent majority: liberal Jewish Americans with strong ties to Israel who would love to see a two-state solution where a Palestinian state could coexist peacefully with an Israeli state, both states enjoying full democratic rights.
Progressive Jews appear to be experiencing a changing perspective on the war. When did Schumer decide to speak out?
There is a sense of crisis among Jews who lean towards liberalism or centralism.
That the unspeakable horrors of that day have left us completely saddened since October 7th; we are grieving deeply over it and anxious for the release of the hostages. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the loss of life among the Palestinian people have surprised us, but the antisemitism we’re seeing in America, from liberals and conservatives alike, has stunned us even more. Observing an Israeli administration that, due to its radicalism, is violating Jewish principles is another thing.
I get the impression that he felt compelled to take the lead courageously right then. My guess is that he did.
In contrast to a permanent ceasefire, which “would only allow Hamas to regroup and launch further attacks on Israeli civilians,” Schumer has supported Biden’s stance of a “temporary cease-fire.” What do you think of his decision to not go further?
Even when it became apparent to me that this war had to end, the word cease-fire was still hard to use. Some individuals had appropriated the term and were using it in antisemitic ways. An immediate negotiated conclusion to the war was something I did begin to advocate for in December. Those were the words I was utilising. Plus, I’ve only begun to use the term “ceasefire” in the past month. Still, it’s identical.
It seems to me that Senator Schumer was attempting to plot a course of action. He was less concerned with the immediate future and more concerned with the long-term goals of achieving a peace agreement that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to live freely and without fear. I also think he did a fantastic job with that.
Is the Jewish community of New York more divided than ever because of this war?
A bit of both has been accomplished. The Jewish world is seeing a generational split, with younger Jews growing up knowing only an occupier Israel, which has blocked Gaza and occupied the West Bank for decades.
A part of the problem that needs fixing is the Jewish establishment’s long-standing muteness on the subject of Palestinian occupation, as well as the ways in which the Netanyahu administration has convinced Israelis that they can achieve peace while allowing settlers to violate Palestinian human rights. And you can’t have one without the other.
I thought Senator Schumer made a strong case for ending the war, and that is what I was most impressed by in his speech. Finally, we must achieve a situation in which the Palestinians and the Israelis may live free from fear.
Has the scepticism of many who opposed this war from the start been warranted?
The repatriation of the hostages must be a part of any discussion of a bilateral ceasefire. Additionally, the left-wing groups that have been demanding a halt to hostilities have not been demanding a bilateral agreement or, in the case of many of them, the return of hostages. That is a significant distinction. In my opinion, this war has to come to a close right now.
Even though you’re not a politician but a religious leader, as the leader of the House of Representatives’ congregation, do you think you have any sway on him?
No matter the holiday, Senator Schumer is present. He pays attention when I preach. He has informed me that on occasion they have inspired him profoundly. He has been a leader before, though. What he sees is unique to him. I am filled with immense pride to serve as his rabbi at this very moment. To be honest, I don’t know if I have much of an impact.
In recognition of the immense responsibility that he has as head of our nation, we extend an invitation to him and his family to come up for an aliyah to the Torah every Yom Kippur, as if it were a special blessing at the Torah. Being a part of our congregation brings a sense of pride to everyone, I believe.
Right after Schumer spoke, Republicans began to criticise her. Is there a chance that Republicans will control the narrative that Democrats are too critical of Israel, which could hurt their election chances?
If people believed it, it would be a terrible error of judgement. If you back the most conservative Israeli government you can imagine, you aren’t really supporting Israel. It’s not helping Israelis at all.
I believe the majority of Americans will recognise that Schumer was promoting a course of action that would ensure the safety of American Jews and Israelis alike.
