On the 17th of Tammuz – July 6 this year – thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem’s central square for what can best be described as a teach-in. This fast day commemorates the day that the city walls were first breached by Nebuchadnezzar (586 BCE) and, like Tisha B’Av, is a reminder of the dangers of catastrophic civil conflict between the remnants of the Jewish people in Israel.

While media attention has focused on the intense political conflict between proponents and opponents of the plan to withdraw from Gaza and dismantle settlements, this event had a different agenda. It was designed to increase the awareness among Israelis in general, and the religious community, in particular, about the plight of the unemployed and chronically poor elements of society.

The worldwide economic decline was exacerbated in Israel by almost four years of Palestinian terrorism, and these factors have resulted in closed factories, a major jump in unemployment and many poor people who live below the poverty line. Reductions in government subsidies for health, education and other basic services, which were made necessary by the economic crisis itself, increased the difficulties faced by many families.

During this period, community groups have tried to fill the gap through voluntary public assistance programs. Food collection centres have sprung up in many places, and on Fridays in many Jerusalem neighbourhoods, youth groups distribute groceries to needy families. These are important measures, but they do not address issues such as the growing gap between rich and poor, the abuse of low-paid workers, trafficking in women (particularly from eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union), government corruption, and other dysfunctional but often hidden aspects of Israeli society.

The gathering in Jerusalem was first and foremost a way to draw attention to these important social issues. At the same time, the prominent presence of a number of rabbis and other religious figures also reflects the growing realization that this leadership has ignored the humanitarian traditions of the Jewish prophets. Instead, the “national religious” parties and associated rabbis have focused their influence primarily on divisive political issues – borders, settlements, war and peace, etc. At the same time, the haredi leadership has been seen as limited to its own community, playing politics to get its share of the state budget while avoiding the broader social and economic situation.

All of which highlights the potential importance of the statements made at the Jerusalem gathering, combined with the other activities that focus on the Israeli and social and economic agenda. In contrast to the Diaspora, where rabbis are needed as synagogue leaders and family counsellors, these roles are of lesser importance in Israel. Instead, the country is sorely in need of social leaders – not affiliated with particular parties, interests, or ideologies – who can address broader problems. By publicly confronting these issues, the organizers and speakers demonstrated that they recognize their responsibility.

The messages they delivered were mixed, as might be expected for a social movement that is just getting off the ground, even if it is based on thousands of years of tradition. But at the same time, the theme of the day demonstratively avoided the standard and ineffective demand that someone else – usually “the government” – provide solutions.

Governments in general, Israel’s included, are notoriously ineffective at dealing with these difficult social issues, and they tend to stifle individual ingenuity, create dependency, and are susceptible to corruption. The million olim from the former Soviet Union know this all too well and are strong supporters of private initiative and self-reliance.

The emphasis is not on a return to the failed reliance on a paternal government, but on greater individual social involvement consistent with the Jewish tradition. The theme of the day was based on the biblical commandment that each person must accept responsibility to take “the right and good action” – without waiting for instructions. The broad purpose was to return the attention of Israelis to the goal of building a just society and being “a light unto the nations.”

Gerald Steinberg is a Professor of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University, directs the Interdisciplinary Program on Conflict Management and Negotiation, and is a Senior Research Associate at the BESA Center for Strategic Studies. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East.