Day 2: Courage and Miracles

We found ourselves in the midst of a modern-day miracle today as we celebrated Israel’s 75th birthday. Our Israeli pride was bursting almost as loudly as the jet engines that flew over us today. All of us were acutely aware we were witnessing and living this miracle. Remember, just two generations ago, this Jewish homeland was still a vision and not yet a reality. Imagine if our grandparents could see us and know that to reach the Jewish homeland of Israel, all you need is a plane ticket and time. We were guided to a building where we pause as our tour guide tells us we are standing in front of the very place where Israel’s Declaration of Independence was signed 75 years ago today. Right here. We danced the hora in the street while breathing it in deeply. This is our land, specifically for our people.

Back inside, we were presented a new perspective: why do we allow the Jewish narrative to be laced with tragedy? Why do we let the non-Jewish world meet us where we experience the worst things and not expose them to all of our history? We are a powerful and talented people. We are contributors to the world is so many wonderful ways- from simple apps like Waze to complex life-saving technology like the Iron Dome. As Dr. Raviv said, Why can’t we shift to the mentality that the tragedies that happened are but one room in a palace of Jewish history? It is a profound and powerful idea for us to take home and find the courage to make a change.

We all know we have courage. It’s in our souls passed down from our ancestors. Someone in our family history made a choice to stay Jewish, and generations later, we are here. Today our courage is in showing up to Israel and putting ourselves first for a week. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants who went before us to a land that was promised to us thousands of years ago. Today as we danced all over the streets of Tel Aviv, we saw it, felt it, and know it. Today we all felt deep gratitude in the holding of joy and sorrow as we have between yesterday and today. We all understood deeply Am Israel Chai– The People of Israel live. This is all truly a modern-day miracle we cling to with courage. We are so, so lucky to be here.