The see-saw of emotions is difficult. The news programs were all promoting their exclusive stories about the freeing of the hostages from Nusierat only to be put aside for details about the 8 soldiers falling in the line of duty. The microcosm of that APC, a Druze commander, soldiers from the Shaalavim Hesder, program, an oleh from the FSU and others show us who is fighting this war (and at the same time who isn't). We have a moment of happiness, only to turn around and feel the pain and anguish of the loss of life,, something we've been feeling all too often since the 7th of October.
As an American Jew, i have visited Israel about 15 times. The first when my parents put me on a plane at the age of 12 to attend a "Bar Mitzvah Pilgrimage Experience" through the Jewish Agency, 515 Park Ave, NY NY. A summer long adventure. I remember the envelope the mail came in and the anticipation.
More recently a couple of months ago with a Ramah adult program at the age of 72 I visited again.
The first time, at 12 years old, i kissed the ground when climbing down the stairs from the Air France plane in the old airport. This time in a more modern albeit not very busy airport it was on an El Al flight. I kissed the ground and saw the the hostage photos along the hallway. I am not sure which was more emotional.
On all the visits I was always told this is your Isreal, live here or not, know it is yours as a Jew. I felt that and i lived it.
I too am living with similar emotions that you describe as are so many more of us here. Yet although I have accepted it as my Israel as well, I have always known I do not have the same right, the same earned right to say it was mine for I have not sacrificed in anywhere near the way I know my friends and family have who truly made the move. I am so thankful for your and your family, for all you have done and how you all live the life of a citizen of the Jewish State. I am thankful for the warmth and welcoming I have always received.
So why did I write this now, one reason was to share and shed a tear as well and another is to acknowledge the obvious we are with Israel and all who you love, wherever we may be, we are supporting in the ways we can.
Bruce
PS - sorry we wont be at the same camp this summer.
It is the roller coaster of life thst we are all living through right now. Will it ever slow down or end and when ??
Thinking about you and Beth.
The see-saw of emotions is difficult. The news programs were all promoting their exclusive stories about the freeing of the hostages from Nusierat only to be put aside for details about the 8 soldiers falling in the line of duty. The microcosm of that APC, a Druze commander, soldiers from the Shaalavim Hesder, program, an oleh from the FSU and others show us who is fighting this war (and at the same time who isn't). We have a moment of happiness, only to turn around and feel the pain and anguish of the loss of life,, something we've been feeling all too often since the 7th of October.
As an American Jew, i have visited Israel about 15 times. The first when my parents put me on a plane at the age of 12 to attend a "Bar Mitzvah Pilgrimage Experience" through the Jewish Agency, 515 Park Ave, NY NY. A summer long adventure. I remember the envelope the mail came in and the anticipation.
More recently a couple of months ago with a Ramah adult program at the age of 72 I visited again.
The first time, at 12 years old, i kissed the ground when climbing down the stairs from the Air France plane in the old airport. This time in a more modern albeit not very busy airport it was on an El Al flight. I kissed the ground and saw the the hostage photos along the hallway. I am not sure which was more emotional.
On all the visits I was always told this is your Isreal, live here or not, know it is yours as a Jew. I felt that and i lived it.
I too am living with similar emotions that you describe as are so many more of us here. Yet although I have accepted it as my Israel as well, I have always known I do not have the same right, the same earned right to say it was mine for I have not sacrificed in anywhere near the way I know my friends and family have who truly made the move. I am so thankful for your and your family, for all you have done and how you all live the life of a citizen of the Jewish State. I am thankful for the warmth and welcoming I have always received.
So why did I write this now, one reason was to share and shed a tear as well and another is to acknowledge the obvious we are with Israel and all who you love, wherever we may be, we are supporting in the ways we can.
Bruce
PS - sorry we wont be at the same camp this summer.
all read, heard and appreciated, bruce. i'm surprised you're capping your visits at 15 -- I would have thought way more!