Editorial: the foolish return to Alte Heim

With the massive annual pilgrimage to the Breslov Rebbe’s grave in Uman, Ukraine, now behind us, the attraction for some Jews to return to the “alte heim” remains. Somehow, the option of having an independent Jewish homeland and the freedom of life in the First World do not compare to living in the ruins of your ancestral shtetl, davening in the empty synagogue of your great-grandparents, and communicating with the silent voices of the graveyard.
For Libyan-born David Gerbi, the revolution that overthrew despot Muammar Gaddafi provided an opportunity to return to his Tripoli and participate in its rebuilding. Donning an “I Love Libya” shirt, Gerbi spoke with representatives of the Transitional National Council, shook hands with local imams, and broke the cinderblock-covered entrance of the defunct Dar al-Bishi Synagogue. As soon as Dr. Gerbi began sweeping away the dust, relighting the oil lamps, and reciting Psalms, a crowd formed outside the synagogue demanding his expulsion from the country. For a week, “Free Libya” had a population of one Jew, but now it has returned to zero.
In Baghdad, seven hapless Jews remain in a city that was one-fifth Jewish a century ago. Released WikiLeaks cables testify to a community living in fear and isolation, its trusted contact with the world being Iraq’s lone Anglican priest, the Rev. Canon Andrew White. “Most want to stay. The older ones are refusing to leave: White said. “They say, ‘we’re Iraqis. Why should we go? If they kill us, we will die here.’” Apparently poverty, loneliness, and death threats are outweighed by the feeling of pride, living in the most historic of all diaspora communities, with its biblical and Talmudic period history. Their only place of worship, the Meir Taweig Synagogue, remains shuttered.
Two weeks ago, while traveling through Borough Park, a van driven by hasidim had a Ukrainian flag hanging from the driver’s mirror. Understandably, their refusal to display the Israeli flag is likely a result of their rebbe’s fierce anti-Zionism. But what’s wrong with flying the American flag? What makes Ukraine such an important part of their Jewish identity? Other than the fact that the driver’s family had resided there for 600 years, not much else. The same can be said about Libya and Iraq. We have centuries of history in these lands, properties worth excavating and reclaiming, cemeteries deserving of respect, and stories worth retelling, but Dr. Gerbi’s assertion that he is a Libyan is a contradiction of what defines a Jew.
The Torah describes Jews as “Am Israel.” More than a religious group, but as a distinct nation of people. Certainly, wherever Jews live, they have demonstrated unquestioning patriotism to their countries. But when they are no longer welcome there, is there any reason for our unrequited love? The tents erected each year on Sukkot exemplify the nature of the Jewish exile. In the relative comfort of the United States, the tabernacles send the message that while we are proud Americans, we are commanded to remain a separate nation, our loyalty conditional on the welcome we receive.