The story goes that in 1954, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion traveled to the United States to meet with then-President Dwight Eisenhower and other U.S. officials to seek help and support for Israel.
During one meeting, then-Secretary of State John Foster Dulles asked Ben-Gurion:
“Who do you and your country really represent? Are Jews from Israel or Jews of Yemen, Poland, Romania, Morocco, Iraq, the Soviet Union, or Brazil the same? After 2,000 years of exile, can we talk about one nation, one culture, one legacy of Jewish tradition?”
Ben-Gurion replied: “Mr. Secretary, 200 years ago the ship Mayflower sailed from England with some of the first settlers in what is now the United States of America.
“Please, walk out on the streets and ask ten U.S. children: What was the name of the captain? How long was the journey? What did the passengers eat? I guess you probably will not find many who know.
“Some 3,000 years ago, the Jews left Egypt. In one of your travels around the world, try to meet ten Jewish children in different countries and ask them: Who led the Jews out of Egypt? How long was the journey? What did the people eat?
“When you have the answers, and wonder, try to remember and appreciate the question you just asked me.”
I am not sure about the accuracy of this story, but I feel it is a great story that goes to the heart of what I want to say.
I have lived in Milwaukee for more than 16 years and consider it my second home, with Israel being my first, and I hope no one holds it against me. I love our community and Israel, and feel strongly about the importance of giving back to them.
I always felt my mission should be to strengthen the ties between the two communities. I feel it is crucial for our long term survival (here and in Israel) to educate both sides about each other. We must be connected and nourish support, respect, and love for each other.
In doing my part, I had the opportunity to work with the “Yamim” Committee. Israel’s Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) are called the “Yamim” (Hebrew for “days”) events in Milwaukee. These days (and Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day), for the majority of Israelis are as important as any Jewish High Holiday.
I have had the honor sitting on this committee with a group of community members who are as passionate about Israel as I am. We meet to plan and present the events with one goal in heart and mind: delivering a meaningful service and a joyful celebration.
Doing this makes us feel connected, fulfilled, and stronger in our identity as Jews. It connects us to the land and the people in a way like no other.
The days of guilt and obligation to the state of Israel are gone; Israel needs our support on the campuses of the high schools and universities, and at dinner table discussions. The connection should be nourished through points of contact on both sides of the pond, love for the people and for the land. Celebrating the Yamim is a great way to feed this connection.
We always try to include all community members, to appeal to all sections, and to have as many people as possible attend. Over the years we tweaked the times, the music, the food, and more. We did all that in an attempt to stay relevant and increase attendance.
We have created number of opportunities to get community input and will continue to do so. We want to hear from you about what would excite you, what would lead you to participate.
Last year after the events were over, we realized attendance had somewhat decreased. As a result, and given that this year we celebrate 65 years of Israel’s independence, I invited members and leaders of our community who are not part of our committee to a brainstorming session.
I asked them what they would do differently. How would they make it more meaningful and joyful? How would they attract more people to attend?
It was a great meeting, and I thank them for their insight and leadership. Here are some of the suggestions we heard and the actions we took:
• Include more agencies and organizations. In the last few months we met in person or communicated via letters with rabbis, educators, and leaders of organizations, inviting them to be a part of the events. We asked them to take ownership of activities, sponsor, volunteer, or create their own.
We asked that they educate their members about the “Yamim” throughout the year and build up excitement for the events. We offered to get banners for their agency so they could walk as a group on the Walk for Israel.
• Give meaning to the Walk for Israel. This year Israel celebrates 65 years of independence. Communities around the world have joined together in a movement called Walk the Land (www.walktheland.org).
We decided to do something extra. This year we walk for Etgarim (Challenges), a non-profit organization started by a group of disabled Israel Defense Force veterans, disabled civilians, and rehabilitation experts.
The organization seeks to enable children, adolescents, and adults with special needs to realize their optimum potential, to enhance their abilities, and to integrate within the society at large. These aims are achieved through outdoor training and adventure therapy that take place in nature.
We will hold a raffle with all proceeds to benefit Etgarim and get scholarships and equipment for the members. Our goal is $5,000 and we have great prizes to give.
First prize is a roundtrip ticket to Israel, second is an iPad, and third is an autographed Milwaukee Bucks basketball. You do not have to be present to win. (Call me to buy tickets, 414-708-1818.)
• Have more activities for all ages. This year after the walk we will have a climbing wall, a camel ride, a photo booth, a bouncy house, face painting, cooking demonstration with Israeli chefs from our partnership region, and coffee and conversation with the guest of honor, IDF Lt. Colonel Yonatan B.
We’ll create a community art project with renowned Israeli artist Hanoch Piven and have an exhibit about “Israel: Then, Now, and Tomorrow.” We will have an archeological dig, an Israel puzzle map, tie-dyed shirts, and more.
• The food this year will be provided by Mizrahi Grill of Chicago and our own CAFA B DATA.
We are a diverse community and within our ranks are people who connect with Israel in different ways. But the celebration of Israel’s existence brings us all together. It transcends our personal politics and allows us to convene around the Jewish homeland in Israel.
We can — we must — find a common way to celebrate Israel regardless of our religious beliefs, political opinions, or social beliefs. We must educate ourselves about the facts and be the best ambassadors we can be for a country most of us call home (and feel as home if and when we visit).
This year I decided to write so you know we are trying to do our best and are always open to suggestions; so I can share my passion with you; so you know how our community here and in Israel is important to us all — how important it is that we know, honor, remember, and celebrate each other.
The reward for doing so is: Seeing you at the Yom HaZikaron service as you pause to remember all those who paid the ultimate price for Israel’s independence. Seeing you walk for Israel and Etgarim with your family, friends and neighbors, Jews and non-Jews as one community. Seeing you celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut after the walk, in the halls of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, moving from one activity to the other, and enjoying some good Israeli food while doing so.
I hope to see you all there.
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