Holocaust to Revival

When I look around, all I can see are Israeli flags. The country is covered with them. There is blue and white banners lining the streets of every city. Remember after 9/11 when every American house suddenly displayed those historical, patriotic stars and stripes? Every year Israel does this too. Israel dedicates an entire week to remembering the events, victims, and survivors of the Holocaust. Followed by a day of commemoration to the Fallen Soldiers of the Israeli Defense Force, the victims of terror attacks, and the families who have lost a loved one. The final celebration is Independence Day - think 4th of July, but (even) better. My students at school put on a beautiful ceremony to remember the Holocaust. They all wore white to school and sang songs. A loud siren played for two minutes through the country. Everything stops. People, cars, restaurants. Everyone stands in silence. The students at my school all rose and bowed their heads during the siren. All these kids understand what happened to their family members during World War 2, it's unbelievable and an experience I can't forget. The program I am in, Israel Pathways (a reminder because I have been such a bad blogger lately), set up a seminar for us starting right after Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Rememberance Day) through Yom HaZikaron (rememberance day for fallen soldiers and terror victims). We visited Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem), Har Herzl (military cemetery), Menachem Begin Museum, and Israeli Art Museum. We had a beautiful ceremony in Latrun that commemorated fallen soldiers, specifically "Olim Hadashim" (people who move to Israel). "Lone Soldier" is a term for someone serving in the Israeli Army that has moved to Israel without any family. They are given a lot of great benefits including a place to live, usually on a Kibbutz. Unfortunately, these soldiers lose their lives too. We heard their stories and testimonials from their families. It was almost unbearable for me. These kids, yes kids, are 19, 20, 21 years old. They fight for an entire country. And they die as heroes. I felt so much pride for Israel this night, even more than I do on a regular basis, and I still continue being stunned at the fighting that goes on here. The final morning of our seminar, we were invited to attend the government ceremony honoring the fallen soldiers and victims of terror at Har Herzl. This is an extremely beautiful cemetery and the event is honor to be able to attend. Even though it was all in Hebrew, we got to hear B.B. Netanyahu (the Prime Minister of Israel) speak. Lastly, we said Kaddish for those we have lost.

The party starts at sunset - Yom Ha'Atzmaut! Independence Day! Israel is 64 years old and I have the honor of living here, making friends here, and teaching here. I celebrated for myself, for the Israelis that risk their lives to live here, and for Jews all over the world that have a place like this to call home. I went to a few different parties and had a great day at the beach. The whole country goes wild. There are people in the streets and in all the bars. There is a lot of conflict with this idea. Those who lost a son, daughter, friend, brother, sister, or anyone in this war spends the whole day mourning and then they are expected to celebrate for this country that yes, indeed, is still pretty messed up. The State of Israel is 100% something to celebrate every year, but it is so hard for a family to do this directly after grieving a loss. I don't connect as deeply to this, so it was easy for me to wave an Israeli flag and be proud following a week of commemoration, but I do understand where they are coming from.

So many things in this country need to be fixed. The litter problems, the price of gas, the price of cars, and the price of homes, the racism, the war, the list goes on. But I have never felt so proud to be somewhere as I felt this past week. I miss my family and friends with everything I have, and going home to hug them all sounds amazing. But after my experience, after being surrounded by these young men and women wearing their uniforms because they learned that they are here to live for each other and not for themselves, that makes me proud. I am proud to see my students, 6 years old to 12 years old, respecting a moment of silence for those who died in the Holocaust and for understanding that Jews have struggled for freedom for many, many years. I am proud to have a second country I am allowed to call "home."

(I thought I lost my camera charger, so no pictures, sorry. And no worries, I found it! Phew.)