On my last trip to Israel, I spent time praying at the Kotel, the Western Wall. When I was done, I asked a woman behind me to take a picture so I could look back at this special moment. It was weeks after my return home to Philadelphia that I discovered the significance of this photograph. Without realizing it at the moment, the picture captured the diversity of our nation, united in one communal heritage. Standing to the left of me was a Chassidic woman, immersed in prayer. Even though I don’t know her personal story, I imagine that she comes from a religious background. Wearing a head turban, a long robe and stockings, she represents her particular Chassidic customs. On my left side was a secular dressed girl, in jeans and wearing a backpack. She embodies today’s Jewish youth, navigating the modern-day world and her spiritual calling. Ironically, the photo captures me in the middle of this religious spectrum. Born in the former Soviet Union under the Communist regime, I have slowly embraced my Jewish identity, taking upon myself one mitzvah at a time. Despite obvious differences, all three of us are united by the intrinsic connection to Jewish heritage. We arrived at this holy place from very different journeys, yet our inner compass continues to lead us home.
The Ethics of the Fathers reads, “Man is beloved because he was created in the image of G‑d.” (Avot 3:18) Looking at this unexpected photograph, I realize that the concept of an ‘image’ doesn’t mean any particular ‘look’ but rather immortal, inner voice that binds us to our Creator and our people.
Throughout our history, we lived in different cultures and therefore were raised in unique backgrounds and so each person has unique dispositions and inner struggles. Some come from spiritually privileged upbringing, while others were deprived of positive role models. This reality underscores the intrinsic value of every person, despite external differences.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks reiterated this point in his profound teaching. “Jewish life is a sustained countervoice. To be a Jew is to know that this cannot be a full story of who I am. A melody is more than a sequence of disconnected notes. A painting is something other than a random set of brushstrokes. The part has meaning in terms of its place within the whole, so that if history has meaning, then the lives that make it up must in some way be joined to one another as a character in a narrative.”
Looking at the image from the Kotel, where women from three diverse backgrounds come together in one communal prayer, I see each one of us as an integral component of communal Jewish destiny. This narrative celebrates both individuality and unity of our nation. Because we are millions of hearts, beating to one harmonized rhythm.