During the week of Aug. 11, I participated in the extraordinary first International Rally in Israel. Despite U.S. State Department warnings, more than 300 people from across the U.S. joined more than 1,000 Israelis for the first-ever international show of support on Israeli soil for Israel’s embattled citizens.
This grass roots effort was spearheaded by a New Jersey volunteer group called “Rally In Israel” led by Rabbi Shmuel Goldin.
Though not my first time to Israel, it was my most meaningful trip. I was only one of many people involved in the rally, but this visit connected me to Israel in a direct and personal way.
During the official 72-hour whirlwind trip, we met with several victims of terror and representatives of Sela Rescue, a victim support organization. We said psalms at the makeshift memorial site of the horrific bomb attack at the student center of Hebrew University.
We also toured the trauma and emergency departments at Sha’arei Zedek Hospital, and listened with awe as they calmly explained the mobilization process for responding not only to the medical needs of terror victims, but also to the potential of chemical warfare.
We later met with several dignitaries, including Brig. Gen. Ra’anan Gissin, special adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and Ehud Olmert, mayor of Jerusalem.
The highlight of the rally was a march through the Jewish Old City and a three-hour assembly in the Hurva Plaza. The mood was celebratory as speakers including Construction and Housing Minister Natan Sharansky, Sen. Robert Toricelli of New Jersey and Rabbi Avi Weiss of the Coalition of Jewish Concerns-Amcha expressed their support for Israel.
The speakers demanded that the government enforce strict policies in dealing with terrorists. Above all, they called on the Jewish people to be united and encouraged Americans to stand with Israelis by visiting Israel.
Resolve and courage
I know that my emotions during the two days were reflective of everyone who took part in this experience and ranged from exuberance, joy and sadness at the lack of peace and quality of life that our Jewish brethren in Israel so much deserve.
I cried at the stories of pain and suffering described by the immigrants, who so bravely shared their personal experiences of terror with us. Even after Sept. 11, we here in the U.S. cannot truly begin to imagine the magnitude of this life-altering horror.
Nevertheless, I was struck, not by the horror itself, but by the resolve and courage of the Israelis. Despite their terrible losses and suffering, they maintain their commitment not only to Israel, but also their attachment to the rest of the world’s Jews. This is a message that we must all take back to our communities and friends.
Perhaps the most moving, and yet embarrassing, aspect of my trip was that everywhere I went Israelis thanked us for coming. We should not be thanked for coming.
Indeed, Weiss said, it is not Israelis who should be thanking diaspora Jews, but we who should be thanking them. I wanted to embrace every Israeli soldier, merchant, bus driver, student and thank them for standing watch at the doorway of our homeland.
I am privileged that the excitement and festive atmosphere of the rally connected me to Israel, but I am especially grateful for how the rally made me appreciate the true strength and resolve of the Israeli people. This was evident from the countless people who came to sing, dance and cheer at the rally’s events.
No one wants peace more that the people of Israel, but a peace that sacrifices the very essence of our land is not a true peace. Hashem promised us this land and Jerusalem (all of it) is our Holy City.
I have learned, now more than ever, how Israelis of all backgrounds and viewpoints, who have chosen to make their home and live their lives in the Land of Israel are united in their resolve to protect the Land of Israel for all the world’s Jews.
Nowhere else can one feel the connection to our heritage and bond of Hashem to the Jewish people. If we cannot make the commitment to live in Israel (and I am for now at least, sadly one), we must resolve to return for visits again and again to renew and strengthen this bond to our land.
Israel is not a place under siege. People live their lives, go to work, play, go shopping, go out for dinner, etc.
Yes, there is heightened security. Yes, unfortunately due to circumstances, some degree of caution is necessary. But there is no reason to be afraid to come to Israel. It is a fun place to be and, unfortunately for the economy of Israel, a true bargain trip for Americans.
If we support Israel, and what Jew does not, we must “walk the talk.” We must do more that hang a flag on our car and hold a sign at a JCC affair.
We must demonstrate to the world, the terrorists and most importantly to the citizens of Israel that we truly care about Israel and its people. We must do this by our physical presence — going to the land and bonding with our fellow Jews who by their living in Israel are watching the door for us.
Rally In Israel II is being planned for Thanksgiving weekend. For more information, see the web site www.rallyinisrael.org or call 414-228-9530.
Alan Rosenthal is a Milwaukee-area pharmacologist.
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