Jabnay, a small town close to the Mediterranean, witnessed a creeping cultural change that connected Jews around the world. After 70 AD, the Jabnai School became a gathering place for a group of Jewish intellectuals, setting off a cultural reform known as the "Jabnai Revolution." This revolution ushered Judaism into a new era, moving it from the "classical Judaism" to the "rabbinic Judaism."
Jewish rabbis are keenly aware of the crises facing the Jewish diaspora, including economic, cultural, assimilation, and faith crises. In this context, the Jewish rabbis of Jabnay proposed a series of reforms that sought to awaken the collective consciousness of the Jews, emphasize education for all, advocate the importance of the Hebrew language, and finally establish the canon of the Hebrew Bible.
These reforms not only had a profound impact within Judaism, but also created a global connection for Jews. One such initiative was to establish a sense of community in Jewish life, bringing Jews closer together by emphasizing that "every Jew is the guardian of his own fellow man."
The EFA initiative is to ensure that every Jewish community has access to free education, especially for orphans and children of the poor. This is not only a cultural inheritance, but also an investment in the future of the entire Jewish community.
The Hebrew language was established to consolidate the Jewish national identity as a "holy language." The Hebrew language is used in prayer, recitation, etc., and serves as a link to the hearts of the Jews.
Eventually, the canon of the Hebrew Bible established a definition of community for the Jews, with the Law of Moses at its core. The Jews found a cultural identity and a place of faith in this community.
The impact of this cultural change is not limited to Judaism, but also touches Jewish life around the world. The statue near Gdansk station, depicting children preparing for a long journey, represents the kindertransport program, showing the Jews supporting each other in times of crisis.
As a result of this cultural change, the Jewish people were brought closer together and a strong sense of community was formed. The success of this change lies not only in its profound internal impact, but also in the fact that it has built a bridge for Jews around the world to face the challenges of the future together.