The pain is palpable in Baltimore's Jewish community after a Reform synagogue's decision to host speakers critical of Israel, a choice that has left congregants anguished and religious leaders scrambling to restore harmony.
The December 12 event at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation (BHC), organized by the New Israel Fund, became a flashpoint of raw emotion when speakers from the left-wing Israeli organization Standing Together described Israel as an "apartheid regime" and accused it of "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza. The words hit like hammer blows, prompting forty area rabbis to pen an impassioned open letter addressing what had devolved into caustic attacks on the synagogue.
"We are troubled by the language and tone too many community members used," the religious leaders wrote, their dismay evident as they cited particularly bitter social media posts and emails. One comment they deemed "most venomous" referenced supplying synagogue leadership with pagers—a chilling allusion to Israel's alleged September operation targeting Hezbollah's electronic devices.
The tension in the room was unmistakable as Standing Together co-directors Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood delivered their critique. Daood, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, argued that while apartheid doesn't exist within Israel proper, "the situation in the West Bank and Gaza is different." The raw nerves of the moment burst into view when a protestor, voice trembling with emotion, scattered photos of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, crying out "Shame on you!"
The controversial nature of the event appeared to fracture institutional bonds. Two prominent synagogues—Beth El Congregation and Chizuk Amuno Congregation—initially listed as co-sponsors, were conspicuously absent from mention during the actual event, suggesting they had quietly withdrawn their support.
"This situation has left many of us feeling betrayed," wrote Caren Leven of the Baltimore Zionist District, her words reflecting the deep hurt felt by many in the community. "Their use of terms like 'apartheid state' and 'ethnic cleansing' isn't just disturbing. It's harmful," she added, voicing fears about fueling global antisemitism.
BHC defended its decision with an appeal to tradition, framing it as part of the "Jewish heritage" of engaging with controversial viewpoints. In a letter to their wounded congregation, synagogue leadership stressed their commitment to fostering dialogue about Israel "in a time of war and intense rhetoric."
JNS contributed to this article.
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