THERE was once a Rabbi Hammer in Denver, and shalom is always a good thing, so I was confused when I caught a smattering of a conversation, something about a Rabbi Shalom Hammer speaking in Denver.
Well, 30 seconds with Rabbi Hammer, and the confusion ceases.
This man is clear, articulate, organized, humorous, and, with all that, not over the top. In fact, this motivational speaker for the Israeli army is down-to-earth, not selling some idea or project.
Unless you consider Israel a project.
And whats this about the Israeli army needing a motivational speaker? Isnt that for the business world, or the world of the depressed, the unemployed or the community dinner crowd?
The army?
The world is not always as it seems. It would seem, would it not, that the Israeli army is already motivated and highly effective? Isnt the current tension in Gaza not about how well the Israeli army performs, but only about how many casualties it would take?
Up close, things are different.
Yes, indeed, the Israeli army needs motivational speakers.
Yes, the army has a program, employing about 30 such speakers.
Rabbi Shalom Hammer is one of them.
And no, not all of these speakers are rabbis.
The Israeli army consists of the non-religious and the religious; the motivational speakers need to be able to address both groups, at the same time, without making either group uncomfortable.
Why, though, does the Israeli Army need motivational speakers? Isnt Israel supposed to motivate the rest of world Jewry? Isnt the IDF supposed to be the heart of Israel?
Maybe it was so at one time, but no more. Many Israelis grow up, says Rabbi Hammer, with the values of the West. He summarizes them in one phrase: the Internet Generation. I need everything. I need it fast; I need to be able to afford it early in my life.
That, as one might guess, does not fit well with the idea of giving up three years of your life to the Israeli army, not to mention, the idea of giving up your life for Israel.
RABBI Hammer grew up in Monsey, NY, earned two BAs, one in speech and the other in guidance counseling. He and his wife made aliyah in 1990, when he was ordained. They have six children, all born in Israel. Their two older daughters have done national service and his 17-year-old son is preparing for the Israeli army next year.
Shortly before the last Gaza war (2008-2009), the then chief rabbi of the Israel Army, Avishai Ronsky, saw a need for bolstering the Jewish awareness of the soldiers.
Zionism isnt what it used to be.
Many soldiers enter the army without a clear idea of why theyre fighting.
They tend to be ignorant of biblical history.
Theyre Hebrew-speaking, but not Hebrew-cultured.
And not historically grounded.
Many have never heard of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, says Rabbi Hammer.
I am employed by a branch of the army that is under the rabbinate of the army. But I am not a rabbi in the army, says Rabbi Hammer. I am employed by the army to give lectures and talks to soldiers in the army.
I give three lectures a week at two bases. I regularly address the Air Force, plus I lecture at special programs; for example, on Chanukah or in Elul.
Im in Denver on my own volition. Its my own project. I lecture throughout the Diaspora. Ive lectured in perhaps 100 cities in the US, the UK and South Africa.
I want to inspire people to keep them connected to Israel and to the people of Israel. I want people to gain an understanding of what were trying to do in Israel to understand Israels struggle for continuity.
The challenge in the army is to inspire soldiers to appreciate the major role they play in infusing Zionist ideology in Israel and throughout the world.
In Israel, the youth dont necessarily understand that. They need to be reminded.
Rabbi Hammer says the soldiers would resist his message only if he preached religion. So he doesn’t.
I am careful not to sound condescending and judgmental and not to sound like Im trying to convince them to be religious, which I am not.
I was screened a number of times to make sure I wouldnt do it. Rabbi Zadok ben Artzi would listen to a number of my lectures to make sure I was appropriate, especially since I am an American originally. Israelis are classically suspicious of people who come from the outside.
Rabbis are also protective of their turf.
Soldiers welcome these lectures because it gives them a break. I try to be funny. I try to tell stories that inspire. I welcome the opportunity to listen. Sometimes there are questions. Sometimes, some interaction.
Im just starting to know the soldiers, now that Im speaking on the same two bases and seeing them on a regular basis. I used to meet groups in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was a one-time exposure.
I will have people to my home.
WHEN Rabbi Ronsky began the Jewish Awareness division, it was not easy.
Many of the elite officers are not religious and are paranoid about religion. And the rabbinate is not the strongest branch of the army.
There is some resistance from certain branches of the army. I believe it comes mostly from officers or soldiers who fear the unknown. Its slowly going away. The division is becoming a strong influence in the army.
The work is very rewarding. Ive had soldiers who come over to me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to connect to the country again.Thank you for reminding me why Im fighting.
Rabbi Hammer was scheduled to return to Israel last Wednesday. He was going to head straight for Sderot. He has a day job as an instructor in a yeshiva and his entire yeshiva relocated to Sderot as an act of solidarity.
My yeshiva moved to Sderot to be with the rest of the community at a time when its tough.
Where did they find a building? I ask.
Theyre probably on a mattress here and there, wherever. It doesnt matter.
Does your wife mind you returning from a two-week lecture tour abroad, only to head straight to Sderot?
I hope to spend Shabbat in Sderot with my students or with other soldiers who are waiting to move forward. Ill be giving them talks. Five minutes. Ten minutes. One-half hour. Telling them why people in the Diaspora are supportive of them. Telling them how theyre infusing spirit and ideology into the people of Israel, and why thats important.
Your wife is making sacrifices, I say.
Anyone who lives in Israel makes sacrifices, he says simply.
Also this:
American Jews should not underestimate what it means to Israelis and to Israeli soldiers when they hear that American Jews are supportive.
True, this is the reality we in Israel have to live with and you really cant understand it until youre there and see it. But thats OK. In whatever you offer your support, it counts.
Rabbi Hammer can be reached at rabbihammer@rabbihammer.com; or at www.rabbihammer.com
Copyright © 2012 by the Intermountain Jewish News
