[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E270-E271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDWARD SCHROCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor 
today Rabbi Israel Zoberman, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth 
Chaverim in Virginia Beach. He is also the President of the Hampton 
Roads Board of Rabbis, and Chairman of the Community Relations Council 
of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. I submit the following 
article that was written by Rabbi Zoberman into the Congressonal 
Record.

       The evolving scenario in the State of Israel, ill-boding to 
     its very security, erupting when Chairman Arafat chose to 
     respond with violence to Prime Minister Barak's far-reaching 
     concessions on the verge of concluding peace, has resurrected 
     fundamental issues of a bitter conflict. Paradoxically, while 
     the sole sovereign Jewish entity is stronger than ever, 
     militarily and economically, it remains vulnerable. The 
     profound division in Israeli society concerning the Peace 
     Process or lack thereof, is a critical factor. In addition, 
     its laudable democracy, the only such progressive 
     manifestation in that part of the world, is a source of 
     vibrant exchange and growth as well as a dangerously 
     fragmented reality.
       As a member of a recent JCPA (the Jewish Council for Public 
     Affairs) national solidarity mission to Israel, I was exposed 
     to the unique variety of the Israeli experience unlike no 
     other. What other capital in the world besides Jerusalem is 
     subject to hostile gunfire without a powerful response to 
     attacks on traumatized civilians? Touring the Gilo suburb now 
     famous for drawing gunfire from the neighboring Palestinian 
     village of Beit Jala, we saw the installed protection walls 
     and the encamped unit of Israel Defense Forces which returns 
     fire. Appreciatively greeted in the local elementary school, 
     we learned first-hand of the adverse impact upon young and 
     old. The complex, ironic and surrealistic nature of the 
     situation was highlighted by remarkable Orthodox Adina 
     Shapira, a law student who co-created with a fellow 
     Palestinian a United Nations award-winning project for 
     volunteering Israeli teachers, including herself, to instruct 
     Arab children in the West Bank. All that while her two 
     brothers who are combat soldiers have quite a different 
     perspective. The professional briefing by General Yaalon, 
     IDF's Deputy Chief of Staff, made clear that restraint is 
     exercised in face of planned assault irresponsibly using 
     children as pawns.
       In the midst of rising concerns, Israel remains a welcoming 
     home and safe haven for endangered Jews and those yearning 
     for the Jewish context and fulfillment that only Israel can 
     offer. How touching it was in the town of Katzir near the 
     Israeli Arab community of Um-El-Fachem where disturbances 
     occurred, introducing myself to the amazement of a young boy 
     from Kazakhstan, as sharing the same background.
       A highlight was the night rally we were fortunate to attend 
     in Ramat Gan for the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers, 
     including Benny Avraham from Pardes Katz, Tidewater's twin 
     city. Ephraim Sneh, Deputy Minister of Defense, addressed the 
     emotionally charged gathering which included the soldiers' 
     families. We urgently continue to call for their release 
     distributing blue ribbons.
       In the heated political debate, the message to our 
     delegation by Ariel Sharon, leader of the opposition Likkud 
     party, and now Prime Minister-Elect, included empathy for the 
     condition of the Palestinians. I dared ask him if he would 
     have visited the Temple Mount had he known that it would be 
     exploited by the Palestinians. Responding with a wry smile, 
     he retorted, ``They always have excuses.'' What is certain is 
     that we are entering an uncertain period of great risks in 
     which both Sharon and Arafat will be severely tested, 
     affecting their long enduring peoples, the entire region and 
     beyond. There is a dire need to overcome a most dangerous 
     impasse. If Sharon proves to be a faithful disciple of 
     Menachem Begin, another hard-liner turned peacemaker, and 
     intransigent Arafat learns from the equally inspiring example 
     of Egypt's President Anwar Sadat's transformation with 
     admittedly facing now a more complex scenario, that would 
     enshrine them too in a history yet to be written.
       The heartfelt presentation of the American Ambassador to 
     Israel, Martin Indyk, focused on the U.S.'s abiding 
     friendship with Israel which facilitates the arduous attempt 
     to bringing closer both sides. While asserting that the 
     warring leaders have a stake in resolution for their own 
     interests, he stated, ``violence will not stop altogether in 
     my estimate,'' with the grave danger of spreading.

[[Page E271]]

       Our group's visit to Neve Shalom's unique setting of Jews 
     and Arabs, midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, reminded us 
     of the possibility and necessity for co-existence in a 
     troubled Middle East. Witnessing the shared kindergarten in 
     which the very young learn about each other's traditions was 
     a moving experience, particularly since I was raised in 
     Israel of the 50's and could not even imagine then this kind 
     of joint endeavor which is still an exception. At this 
     fateful juncture may both sides to the tragic historical 
     conflict allow for an emerging new reality of shalom's 
     essential blessings of life, replacing violence with vision 
     and pain with promise.