According to the Ultra Orthodox, most of last year’s Israeli immigrants are not Jewish—by their strict definition, that is, meaning someone born to a Jewish mother or someone who’s had an Orthodox conversion.

While that’s correct from a Halachic point of view, the Law of Return only requires one Jewish grandparent to qualify. Most of the new arrivals, who come from Russia and Ukraine, are the descendants of folks who couldn’t practice their faith under Communism, through no fault of their own. Why should they be punished for losing touch with Judaism when it was outlawed for 70 years? We have to make reasonable allowances here.

Of course, there is also the argument that some of the immigrants actually have no Jewish lineage at all and have phony histories created just so they can relocate. While that’s certainly a possibility, I personally don’t care. If people are ready, willing, and able to move to a Jewish State, to join the IDF, to pay their taxes and observe Jewish holidays and customs, why not welcome them? The more, the merrier!

Israel is still a young country and must plan for the future. Today’s immigrant may not have the same Jewish perspective that we enjoy in the West, but there’s a good chance their kids and grandkids will. I want to see Israel grow and flourish and continue to embrace Jews from all backgrounds.

There’s room for everybody in the Jewish community, both Reform and Orthodox. The in-fighting and squabbles are petty and stupid. Instead of focusing on our differences, we must come together and give our full support to Israel—the Nation of Israel, the People of Israel, the God of Israel, and the continued survival of Israel. That’s what matters.