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This week, the world witnessed a troubling display of misplaced activism when Greta Thunberg and others attempted to breach Israeli waters aboard what was widely dubbed a "selfie yacht" headed toward Gaza. 

Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessel off the coast and brought it into Ashdod without incident. Thunberg and several passengers were deported, while others opted for detention. Israeli officials offered the passengers sandwiches and Bamba.

Thunberg responded by describing the incident as an “illegal kidnapping,” accusing Israel of war crimes and intentionally blocking aid. These accusations, while headline-grabbing, deeply offended many, particularly the families of Israeli hostages still held inside Gaza. For them, the word “kidnapping” is not metaphor or politics. It’s their living nightmare.

Thunberg’s stunt trivialized suffering. It erased Jewish pain. It used the language of real trauma for the sake of performance. This wasn’t moral courage, it was moral confusion.

And yet, this moment reminds us why our voices matter so deeply. It underscores the need for moral clarity and courageous leadership rooted not in spectacle but in substance.

That’s exactly what we saw this week in the results of the World Zionist Congress elections. The Reform Movement’s Vote Reform slate earned nearly 48,000 votes, more than any other slate in history. This is a real victory. A values-driven, hopeful vision of Zionism won the confidence of thousands of Jews—one that champions democracy, religious pluralism, and gender equality.

We are incredibly proud of how our community mobilized, discussed, and participated. And we must also be clear-eyed in our assessment: Orthodox slates consolidated power through strategic alliances. Some slates are under investigation for voting irregularities. So while we celebrate the strength of the Reform vote, we also recognize the broader reality: the landscape is convoluted, and our work is far from over.

In this week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha, God commands Aaron to raise the light of the menorah. Our sages teach that the flame had to stand on its own—lifted high enough to burn steadily. That’s our task too: to raise a flame of integrity that endures. To be proud, public, and persistent in the values we bring to Jewish life, to Israel and to the world.

I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Jonathan Minnen, who led Sinai’s Vote Reform campaign, and Todd Gordon, who spearheaded the citywide effort in Atlanta. Their passion, clarity, and dedication helped ensure that the flame of Reform Zionism continues to shine.

So let us not be distracted by those who distort the truth for the sake of drama. Let us stay focused on what matters: building a Jewish future rooted in dignity, peoplehood and love.

Shabbat Shalom