Last night many of us watched the Super Bowl. If estimates are correct we joined 114 million viewers in an act of communal watching; one of the greatest televised spectacles ever. If you are an avowed fan of Seattle or New England the game was very exciting. If you watched just for the sake of it, it was probably very enjoyable.
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There is something to be said that we joined with a community of people spanning the globe to enjoy a premier athletic event. There is pleasure and fun in such an endeavor especially if we shared the game and refreshments with family and friends. Now the Super Bowl is over and bragging rights will remain for year. What may we do now to become part of a community, enjoying a sense of thrill? How else may we become part of a community and remember where we were when something spellbinding occurred?
On March 1-3, 2015, there will be a gathering of 14,000 people in Washington, D.C. summoned by the shared interest of supporting Israel. AIPAC, an organization with a very specific and concrete focus, brings together people of many different religious and ethnic backgrounds for the sole purpose of being energized to support Israel. The enthusiasm runs very deep. It is very exciting, perhaps, more exciting than the Super Bowl because everyone in the convention center knows that her or his energies actually has lasting impact. As a spectator of the Super Bowl each of us is a viewer; as activists in Washington DC we are networking and we are informing our legislators to maintain support of Israel in this very critical hour.
Professionally organized, the sessions and meetings are eye-opening in scope covering American-Israeli strategic interests, collaborative research, diplomatic efforts technological innovations… The list goes on and on. Typically delegates enjoy many opportunities to hear from leading Congresswomen and Congressmen, Senators and usually the Vice –President and President, as well as the Prime Minister of Israel.
On Tuesday, thousands of AIPAC delegates travel to Capitol Hill and meet with virtually every elected legislator in our United States government. It is thrill to take part in the democratic process that makes our nation great. The scope of this effort is extreme and the impact is essential.
Please consider sharing two - three days with Israel and with a community of people who are much more than viewers. Plan to travel to D.C. Attend sessions at the AIPAC conference and meet with your legislator. You will be much more than a spectator. You will be a presence and you will make a difference.
You may register for the conference by visiting www.aipac.org. I look forward to sharing an exceptional experience with you.
Shalom,
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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