Joined by seven leaders of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Jewish communities, Mr. Emmer experienced Israel with uncommon access.  The Congressman’s six-day trip included many meetings with leading Israeli political and security experts, including Amb. Dore Gold, Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry; Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem; Oded Revivi, Mayor of Efrat; Amb. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and current Member of Knesset; Ayub Kara, a deputy minister and member of Knesset from the Druze community; and Gen. Eli ben Meir, the former deputy director of military intelligence for the State of Israel.

US Representative Tom Emmer together with Aish HaTorah rabbis and leaders of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Jewish Communities.  (l-r): Steve Baldinger, Aish Director General Rabbi Steven Burg, Aish COO Rabbi Hershel Lutch, Brian Pergament, Daniel Rosen, Rep. Tom Emmer, Isaac Gross, Rabbi Joshua Borenstein, Meyer Silverberg, Ken Fink, and Todd Johnson.

In addition to these high-level meetings, the Congressman visited sites of national importance, met with many local residents, and explored the critical issues facing Israel and Israeli society today.

"Seeing Israel first-hand has provided me with a deeper and more nuanced appreciation for both the challenges and opportunities facing the Jewish State,” noted Cong. Emmer.  “It was a profound honor to meet with so many members of the Israeli government and military forces.  Being in Israel for the past week has reinforced my deep belief in the need for the United States to work hand-in-hand with its friend and ally, the State of Israel, to achieve the common security and strategic aims that we fundamentally share.  I am grateful to Aish HaTorah for inviting me to Israel and for providing such a meaningful trip."

The Congressman and the Minnesota Jewish community leadership delegation heard from multiple perspectives, both Jewish and Arab.  They also experienced some of Israel’s most profound educational experiences, including the largest active archeological site in Israel, the City of David; the Aish HaTorah World Center and the Western Wall Plaza; and Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust museum and memorial.
 

US Representative Tom Emmer meeting with Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat

“Understanding the historical connection of the Jewish people’s bond with the land of Israel is critical,” remarked Daniel Rosen, a Minneapolis attorney and committed Aish HaTorah lay leader.  “We were honored to accompany my good friend Cong. Emmer in Israel as he saw the ancient and current evidence of that bond.  Aish HaTorah provided an outstanding and deeply meaningful educational experience for the Congressman and the entire delegation.  We look forward to working with Mr. Emmer and other members of Congress to strengthen the special US-Israel relationship.”

“Aish HaTorah was founded 43 years ago to address the challenges – both physical and spiritual – that are affecting the Jewish people.  We live in a time where the Jewish state’s legitimacy is under constant attack. Creating moments of dialogue with elected officials, especially with members of Congress, is profoundly important.  First-hand knowledge of Israel and her successes and struggles is the surest way to create new allies and advocates,” explained Rabbi Steven Burg, Director General of Aish HaTorah.

Baltimore Jewish Life had the opportunity to speak with Baltimore resident Rabbi Hershel Lutch who serves as COO of Aish HaTorah.  Rabbi Lutch was intimately involved in this groundbreaking mission.

BJL: What were the highlights of the trip?

RHL: It is hard to pinpoint just one or two moments because the six-day mission was literally packed from dawn to midnight. We created experiences that educated, inspired, and deepened the US-Israel relationship, not for just the Congressman, but for everyone involved.

This mission was unique because we had the opportunity to meet some very high-level Israeli officials, all of whom were very generous with their time and granted us uncommon access. 

For example, seeing the Congressman talk with Ambassador Dore Gold, the Director General of the Israel Foreign Ministry. I think we all realized at that moment that these are the conversations that need to happen if we are going to educate and influence American policy vis-à-vis issues like the threat from Iran.

 
 Cong. Emmer with Amb. Dore Gold

One of the goals of the trip was to engage with the controversy surrounding settlements and give the congressman an opportunity to really see the cities for himself. Meeting the Mayors of Jerusalem and Efrat was certainly eye-opening.  Keep in mind, that according to UN resolutions, the entire Old City of Jerusalem (and many other Jerusalem neighborhoods) are, in fact, “settlements.”

In Efrat, we had the chance to see a “behind the scenes tour” of their extensive, but mostly invisible, security apparatus that protects the over-10,000 local residents. I think we walked away with a true appreciation of what it is like to live under threat.

Lastly, nothing can quite beat a helicopter tour of the country’s borders when your guide is none other than General Eli ben Meir, the former deputy director of military intelligence for the IDF. One cannot help but understand Israel’s geopolitical position – an island of true democracy in a sea of hostility and open aggression from leadership committed to the Jewish state’s destruction.
 

Cong. Emmer together with Gen. Eli ben Meir of the IDF’s military intelligence directorate, overlooking the Gazan border

BJL: What were your impressions of the Congressman?

RHL: One thing that particularly struck me was Rep. Emmer’s innate nature to reach out and connect, not just with the information and experiences, but personally with the individuals he met.
 

Cong. Emmer preparing food packages for needy residents of Elazar, a town in Gush Etzion

For example, we spent Friday night Shabbat dinner at the Aish World Center, directly opposite the Western Wall. A number of college students from various North American Aish campuses were also in the building at the time. The congressman spent several hours, ad hoc, speaking with these college students about their experiences and ideas, their involvement in Jewish education on campus, and their hopes for the future.

From the West Point Cadets conducting training with the Israeli army to the daycare manager at a Kibbutz that routinely comes under rocket fire, Mr. Emmer was eager to hear their stories and share his own experiences. 

His ability to engage on a personal rather than political level, I think, really gave this mission a deeper dimension.

BJL: What core messages do you think really hit home?

RHL: A common theme of the trip was about taking responsibility. The founder of Aish, Rav Noach Weinberg, of blessed memory, used to speak about how the whole world was created for each of us; by that, Rav Noach explained, our sages meant that each one of us is responsible to tackle the problems we see in the world.

Rabbi Berel Wein sharing insights on the similarities of congressman and rabbis with Rep. Emmer and Rabbi Lutch

Harkening back to his father’s own liberation from Buchenwald by American troops, Chief Rabbi David Lau stressed to Rep. Emmer that America has a great responsibility to serve as a strong international force for good in this world.  The Chief Rabbi explained that this is not merely in a physical sense, but that America must safeguard morality in the world and should do its utmost to enable world Jewry to continue, safely, in the path of our forefathers.

Cong. Emmer and Rabbi Lutch in conversation with Chief Rabbi Lau

Aish is all about these kind of core values. This trip went beyond a political ‘fact-finding’ mission. We really showed the Jewish ancestral claim to Israel and how Jewish values shape so many strata of the modern Jewish state.  Specifically, we engaged with multiple IDF generals so that we could learn how the IDF is the most moral army in the world – a force deeply connected with the values of the land and people they protect. It was really a mission with meaning.

BJL: How did this mission come about and do you think that this could be replicated in, for example, Baltimore?

RHL: This trip was the result of many people’s hard work, but at its core, was the initiative of an Aish lay leader in Minneapolis, Daniel Rosen. Danny really embodies the answer to building and sustaining US-Israel relations. Here is a person who developed a deep and real relationship with a member of his congressional delegation, took initiative, and created an opportunity. He’s not a rabbi. He isn’t a professional lobbyist. He is a constituent, a voter, and an American Jew who cares.

Aish lay leader Danny Rosen, Cong. Tom Emmer, and Rabbi Hershel Lutch at the Aish World Center

When we first discussed this mission this past summer, we at Aish we knew that we could provide the structure and programming to achieve a first-rate experience.

Danny’s vision and drive is a blue print for us all. Imagine if we could provide this kind of experience for every individual who sits in the House of Representatives and Senate? There is absolutely no reason why we can’t replicate this here in Baltimore.

BJL: On a personal level, what do you think you will take away from the trip?

RHL: Israel is a home-away-from-home for me. I lived there for five years when I was learning in yeshiva, and I return there regularly – this was my fourth trip this year alone. So, it was refreshing, inspiring, and empowering to see Israel through the eyes of a first time visitor, particularly an elected official. The Jewish people’s tenacity, creativity, and determination to bring the dream of a Jewish state to reality – coupled with an unwavering commitment to our heritage and values – I saw all of that from the outside looking in.

Also, I developed a profound respect for Rep. Emmer, who is a man of high integrity of genuine desire to learn about issues first-hand.  These were long days, sometimes 18 straight hours of programming. Congressman Emmer was fully engaged and he embodies the Jewish maxim of aizehu chacham mi shelomeid mikol adam ­– that a wise person is one who learns from each person with whom he interacts. 

I realized that Israel speaks for itself. Our sages tell us that there is no better educational experience than seeing something firsthand. It was a privilege to share in that with Rep. Tom Emmer – a true friend of Israel.  

Rabbi Lutch with Cong. Emmer right before Shabbat in Jerusalem at the Aish World Center

About Aish HaTorah

Aish HaTorah is one of the largest and most dynamic Jewish organizations in the world. Globally, Aish engages over 150,000 people per year and reaches over 1,000,000 people online.

Headquartered in Jerusalem, opposite the Western Wall, the Aish World Center Aish educates more than 50,000 visitors each year, from Jews first exploring the meaning of their heritage to advanced students studying for rabbinic ordination.

Worldwide, Aish is active on more than 80 North American college campuses, fighting anti-Semitism and helping to create Jewish identity. Aish’s more-than-50 global programs and branches bring cutting-edge Jewish educational programming to every corner of the Jewish world.

Founded by Rabbi Noah Weinberg in 1974, Aish HaTorah’s mission is to provide all Jews the opportunity to explore the depth and beauty of their heritage.

To learn more about Aish HaTorah, visit www.aish.com or contact press@aish.com.