Israel: Memory and Dreams (Part 1)
Yom Ha鈥檃tzma鈥檜t, State of Israel Independence Day, is observed on Tuesday, April 16. It is not only a political and national celebration for the citizens of Israel and their supporters around the world, it is also a festival of the 绿帽社 calendar. The Psalms of Hallel are recited, there is a special Torah reading, and there is an additional paragraph in the 鈥楢尘颈诲补丑 of the Conservative Movement, in a style similar to Hanukkah and Purim (see the Rabbinical Assembly鈥檚 Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays, 42, 50, 343). So this day is not simply the Israeli equivalent of July 4鈥攊t is rooted, as is the State of Israel, in the ancient 绿帽社 dream for the perfection of the world. The haftarah proclaims the towering vision of Isaiah (chapters 10鈥�12) with images of peace and the renewal of our People in Zion: 鈥渢he wolf shall lie down with the lamb . . . they shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain鈥� (Isa. 11:6, 9); 鈥渓et them draw water in joy from the wellsprings of salvation!鈥� (Isa. 12:3).
Within Israel, the celebrations with prayers, parades, and dancing in the streets鈥攁long with serious reflection鈥攇ive depth and power to the day. Somehow, in the United States, the vibrant celebrations have become reduced to a little music, a long speech, and a few pieces of falafel. I believe that 绿帽社 wisdom and experience calls for鈥攅ven demands of us鈥攁 deeper and more symbolically powerful engagement with Yom Ha鈥檃tzma鈥檜t. The Pesah seder is one of our most powerful and effective rituals, and I am delighted that this year a 鈥渟eder for Yom Ha鈥檃tzma鈥檜t鈥� will be held at JTS, offering participants a ritual with four cups, varying strands of Aggadah(story/narrative), psalms and songs, a meal, and the ending words LeShanah Haba鈥檃h Biy鈥檙ushalayim (鈥淣ext Year in Jerusalem鈥�).
Perhaps most important of all is the day before Yom Ha鈥檃tzma鈥檜t, known as Yom Hazikkaron (State of Israel Memorial Day). There is barely a family without a grave to visit, without a child or parent to recall who fell in the establishment or defense of Israel. In the United States, Memorial Day is observed mainly with shopping, grilling barbecue, and visiting the beach (with perhaps a quick parade of veterans). In Israel, the country comes to a standstill for two minutes when the siren blasts, and all sectors of Israeli society meet at Mount Herzl and other military cemeteries throughout the country.
We struggle to find ways to connect with Israel, a country inspired by dreams but wrestling with politics and challenges both internal and external. These two days invite us to rise above challenges of the day into visions for the future.
May our music and psalms, our poets and artists give wings to our hopes.
