Plan B – An Open Letter to Ultra Orthodox Community Leaders

Your unrelenting attempts at advocacy to ensure the rights of the frum community are not only commendable but outright awe-inspiring! Orthodox organizations stand by their communities, fighting any possible hindrance to their freedom of speech, religion, etc. The frequent large-scale Torah Events are exciting, inviting, highly professional, and a true Kiddush Hashem. Honestly, it is to be envied by other communities! The accomplishments are impressive as well. Bills passed, funds allocated to Jewish Education, lifting the heavy burden of Tuition, stepping in for someone who was discriminated against for Shabbos Observance, Lobbying on Capitol Hill, and developing real friendships with Politicians who appreciate our communities. I can go on and on and on and its all true. BUT. What if all the above doesn’t succeed? What if your friends in the government are unable to help despite their goodwill? What happens if anti-Semitism doesn’t like your advocacy and persists no matter what? What happens if the situation gets worse, as it already is? And the real QUESTION? What if G- D Forbid Golus America ends like 100% of the other goluses??? What do we do then? Is there a plan B? I don’t want to get descriptive. It’s not necessary. WE NEED PLAN B!!
I would like to make a suggestion based on a Possuk in yeshayahu פרק ד פסוק ג. Yes, I am suggesting preparing American Jewry for mass Aliyah, and I even have a plan. Send a delegation for a series of meetings with Government Ministers, Minister of Housing, Minister of Labor, Minister of Education, Minister of Aliyah. (Yes Israeli Ministers) Say to them, we are preparing our communities for mass Aliyah. We want our communities and their families to be able to live near one another and to retain our culture, our educational system etc. We need proper and adequate employment and social services. We need shuls, schools, yeshivos, seminaries, etc. Lay down the infrastructure NOW! Don’t wait till it’s too late! I don’t like to beg, but I hereby beg you – Do it NOW!
It can be done. There are large empty expanses of land – in Yerushalaim and close by, and in other places as well. – Tell the Minister of Housing – You allocate the land, we will bring the builders (not the kind who build in every possible meter leaving no space for greenery, etc) the prices will be government-regulated for 18 months, during which period of time only people from X community will be able to buy. After 18 months, anyone will be able to buy. Within these new neighborhoods, there will have to be lots allocated for shuls, schools, yeshivos AND playgrounds, beautiful green parks etc. The Rabbonim of the shuls will only be able to be from X community as so too the principals of the schools and the Roshei Yeshiva. Demand easier conditions for opening businesses, easier taxation – whatever! (Dont worry you won’t get all you ask for- but it’s a beginning.)
Aliyah has many challenges but when done together, it’s a whole different story.
I know that I’ll be hit in the face with all sorts of hashkafos that serve the purpose of easing guilt over staying put, but times have changed. We are on the threshold of worldwide changes that we cannot foresee their results. WE MUST HAVE A PLAN B!