Yom HaAtzmaut: What gives me the Strength to Celebrate

By Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman on May 7, 2008 - ב' אייר תשס"ח

More and more Israelis find it difficult to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. This cuts across ideological, ethnic and class lines. The challenge stems both from the difficult situation we face (although that is not particularly new) and the disappointment that many feel regarding the state of our country with its increasing social gaps and poverty, the ongoing Occupation (Or, for the right wing, the fact that the State has “betrayed” them by evacuating settlements), etc. Perhaps that is the first silver lining. Israelis care enough about their country to feel disappointed. However, there is more than a silver lining.

This last Sunday, some 1,000 soldier and young people studying in pre-army academies spend an entire day with us studying Israel’s Megilat Atzmaut (Declaration of Independence) and RHR’s commentary to the Declaration. Some of them have been studying with us all year. We provided some of Israel’s top academics, politicians, journalists and activists, as well as Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Renewal rabbis. The young people provided the ruakh (spirit).

It was not an easy day. Arabs and Jews argued about whether or not Israeli Arabs should do army service. The young people were exposed to the hard facts about poverty and inequality in Israel. We looked at the lofty ideals of the Megilah regarding equality for all and “Freedom, Justice and Peace as envisaged by the Prophets of Israel,” and compared the dream of 60 years ago to today’s reality. We asked, “Where have we succeeded in making the dream a reality, and where do we have more to do in order to succeed.” This is the question you will also hear on RHR radio announcements on reshet bet and gimmel over the next week and a half advertising the publishing of our Talmudic style commentary on the Megilah and the fact that in June, including Shavuot, rabbis will be teaching our commentary in study sessions around the country. (Contact us to find out about existing sessions or to invite us to conduct a session.)

Some will say that we should have been harsher. We should have been asking not, “Where do we have more to do,” but “Where have we failed?” Spending the day with these youth convinced me that we asked the right question. If it was just a matter that at the end of the day Jews, Arabs and Sudanese refugees were dancing, singing and creating art together in Hebrew and Arabic, I might say that, as moving as it was, it was all a passing and meaningless ignoring of reality. However, coming as it did at the end of a day of struggling with Israel’s most difficult challenges, it gave me and many of the other RHR rabbis present a feeling of hope. Nothing was solved, but we all looked at each other and said, “This gives us the ability to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut” We have big problems, but we also have amazing youth.

Another thing that helps me celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut is the annual Yesh Gvul alternative torch lighting ceremony that will take place opposite the Prime Minister’s office this evening. (Congratulations to RHR volunteer Benny Gefen and all of the other torch lighters.) Some of the speeches will undoubtedly be primarily negative. However, as I see it, the overall theme is “Od lo avdah tikvateinu,” we haven’t given up our hope and vision to build a country in line with the dream written into our Declaration of Independence.

Perhaps one of the most important sentences uttered during Sunday’s conference was when one panelist asked what the young people would be saying in 20-30 years to an as yet unborn generation regarding the challenges facing our country. I have heard many times adults say to young people that the future is now in their hands. I am not prepared to absolve myself of responsibility quite yet. Those of us who will gather tonight represent the community of those doing their utmost giving our young people the best possible chance to succeed.

Od lo avdah tikvateinu More than that. Looking at the faces of my friends tonight and remembering the ruakh of our young people which I experienced Sunday, I will know that I have cause to celebrate.

Rabbis for Human Rights recommends that you read these articles in Holidays and Commemorations

Yom HaAtzmaut: What gives me the Strength to Celebrate - May 7th, 2008
Chanukah: Protecting and restoring religious values - December 22nd, 2006
Shavuot: A world based on righteousness, justice, goodness, mercy and faithfulness. - May 26th, 2006
Sukkoth: Peace, justice, involvement and caring for all people - October 10th, 2005

Categories: Holidays and Commemorations
Tags: Bo, fen, human rights, order, palestinians, peace, settlers, Shavuot, Yom Ha'atzmaut