This past week, we remembered the fallen soldiers in Israel on Yom Ha’Zikaron and then celebrated Israel’s 70th birthday on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Thank you to the MJCC for hosting both of these major community programs.

Shmuel Rosner, political editor of The Jewish Journal, in writing about Yom Ha'Atzmaut said, "The number 70 has a special place in the Jewish tradition. The people of Israel make up one of 70 nations; Moses had 70 elders at his side as he wandered the desert; a well-known commentary suggests that God has 70 names, as does the city of Jerusalem. Celebrating 70 years of independence instinctively feels more special than 60 or 80. It instinctively connects the mind of a modern Israeli to the long, complicated and treacherous Jewish past. And it instinctively makes one aware that what feels like a long and sometimes exhausting journey is barely one lucky step on the dusty Jewish road.”

I believe that Israel’s special milestone is a celebration for the whole world. Yom Ha’Atzmaut not only marks the dream of restoring Jewish independence in our ancestral homeland, it also celebrates all the great achievements of the last 70 years. We celebrate 70 years of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. For seven decades, Israel has held high the torch of freedom and democracy in a difficult region. Surrounded by enemies and against all odds, Israel has been — and continues to be — guided by these values as the world’s only Jewish and democratic state.

And of course, we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude, to those who have lost their lives in the defense of Israel’s freedom. When Yom HaZikaronconcludes, we dry our tears, and hold close the memory of those who paid the ultimate price fighting to defend the land of Israel, and the people of Israel. They are with us always, and to all the bereaved families, we send our love and prayers.

Rosner also shared, “70 years of independence is barely a blip on the radar of Jewish history. And the Jews of Israel are highly aware of their role as a small link in a long chain of Jewish history. They are modern Israelis, of course, but their consciousness is one of ancient Jews. Repeatedly, surveys show more Israelis choose “Jewish” over “Israeli” as their main identity. And by this they do not refer to a religion (Judaism) but to a nation (the Jewish people).”

We know about the amazing accomplishments in Israel from agriculture to high tech. In honor of Israel’s 70th birthday, here are 70 fun facts about Israeli food, culture, geography, academics and more.

We also know Israel has her challenges. This past week, Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, spoke at a synagogue in Baltimore and shared the following:

"If you are on the Right, you say it’s the Iranian axis that poses an existential threat to Israel. If you are on the Left, you say it’s not that; it’s Israel’s inability to come to an agreement with the Palestinians so that it remains a Jewish majority and democratic state... You know, it’s the difficulty of being Jewish. There are multiple demands on your attention and multiple demands on your morality. It’s not just about surviving, it’s not just about preventing a Holocaust. It’s also about behaving in way that also makes you proud to be Jewish. This is the dilemma in our community that people are going to the two extremes of saying the problems of Israel are solely external, this Iranian Hezbollah threat, or that the problems are solely internal, Israel’s unwillingness to grapple with the Palestinian issue. I think there are arguments to be made on both sides.”

His comments reflect the sentiments of so many in Jewish communities around the world. We all hope that in the near future these challenging issues will be resolved.

Our partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel, has played the leading role in bringing Jews to Israel and helping them resettle in their new homeland. Here is a beautiful video showcasing the incredible story of aliyah to Israel.

Finally, here is a short Yom Ha’Atzmaut music video by the Maccabeats, who were here in Portland last summer.

Seventy years is a long time for a person, but a short time for a people — especially a people who have such a long and rich history. But as we face our challenges, and build upon the opportunities of today, it is my wish that, together with you, Israel will continue to grow and develop for the benefit of all peoples, all over the world.

Mark your calendars for March 18-29, 2020 for an incredible community trip to Israel. We will explore this magnificent country as the Jewish Federation celebrates its centennial year. Exciting details coming very soon.

Last Sunday our community participated in International Good Deeds Day (over 3.5 million volunteers in 100 countries). In Portland, thank you to the nearly 350 individuals of all ages (including 100 teens) who volunteered at 13 different projects ranging from the Oregon Food Bank to a Red Cross blood drive. We are grateful to our wonderful partners -- the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) and BBYO/B’nai B’rith Camp for helping make the day such a success.

This also happened to be National Volunteer Week! It’s an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service in our community. Volunteering brings people together to tackle society’s tough challenges, spark change, and build stronger, more resilient communities. We can all do our part to make our community and world a better place. Thank you to our community’s volunteers for making a difference every day!

Shabbat shalom.

Marc

This past week, we remembered the fallen soldiers in Israel on Yom Ha’Zikaron and then celebrated Israel’s 70th birthday on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Thank you to the MJCC for hosting both of these major community programs.

Shmuel Rosner, political editor of The Jewish Journal, in writing about Yom Ha'Atzmaut said, "The number 70 has a special place in the Jewish tradition. The people of Israel make up one of 70 nations; Moses had 70 elders at his side as he wandered the desert; a well-known commentary suggests that God has 70 names, as does the city of Jerusalem. Celebrating 70 years of independence instinctively feels more special than 60 or 80. It instinctively connects the mind of a modern Israeli to the long, complicated and treacherous Jewish past. And it instinctively makes one aware that what feels like a long and sometimes exhausting journey is barely one lucky step on the dusty Jewish road.”

I believe that Israel’s special milestone is a celebration for the whole world. Yom Ha’Atzmaut not only marks the dream of restoring Jewish independence in our ancestral homeland, it also celebrates all the great achievements of the last 70 years. We celebrate 70 years of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. For seven decades, Israel has held high the torch of freedom and democracy in a difficult region. Surrounded by enemies and against all odds, Israel has been — and continues to be — guided by these values as the world’s only Jewish and democratic state.

And of course, we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude, to those who have lost their lives in the defense of Israel’s freedom. When Yom HaZikaronconcludes, we dry our tears, and hold close the memory of those who paid the ultimate price fighting to defend the land of Israel, and the people of Israel. They are with us always, and to all the bereaved families, we send our love and prayers.

Rosner also shared, “70 years of independence is barely a blip on the radar of Jewish history. And the Jews of Israel are highly aware of their role as a small link in a long chain of Jewish history. They are modern Israelis, of course, but their consciousness is one of ancient Jews. Repeatedly, surveys show more Israelis choose “Jewish” over “Israeli” as their main identity. And by this they do not refer to a religion (Judaism) but to a nation (the Jewish people).”

We know about the amazing accomplishments in Israel from agriculture to high tech. In honor of Israel’s 70th birthday, here are 70 fun facts about Israeli food, culture, geography, academics and more.

We also know Israel has her challenges. This past week, Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, spoke at a synagogue in Baltimore and shared the following:

"If you are on the Right, you say it’s the Iranian axis that poses an existential threat to Israel. If you are on the Left, you say it’s not that; it’s Israel’s inability to come to an agreement with the Palestinians so that it remains a Jewish majority and democratic state... You know, it’s the difficulty of being Jewish. There are multiple demands on your attention and multiple demands on your morality. It’s not just about surviving, it’s not just about preventing a Holocaust. It’s also about behaving in way that also makes you proud to be Jewish. This is the dilemma in our community that people are going to the two extremes of saying the problems of Israel are solely external, this Iranian Hezbollah threat, or that the problems are solely internal, Israel’s unwillingness to grapple with the Palestinian issue. I think there are arguments to be made on both sides.”

His comments reflect the sentiments of so many in Jewish communities around the world. We all hope that in the near future these challenging issues will be resolved.

Our partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel, has played the leading role in bringing Jews to Israel and helping them resettle in their new homeland. Here is a beautiful video showcasing the incredible story of aliyah to Israel.

Finally, here is a short Yom Ha’Atzmaut music video by the Maccabeats, who were here in Portland last summer.

Seventy years is a long time for a person, but a short time for a people — especially a people who have such a long and rich history. But as we face our challenges, and build upon the opportunities of today, it is my wish that, together with you, Israel will continue to grow and develop for the benefit of all peoples, all over the world.

Mark your calendars for March 18-29, 2020 for an incredible community trip to Israel. We will explore this magnificent country as the Jewish Federation celebrates its centennial year. Exciting details coming very soon.

Last Sunday our community participated in International Good Deeds Day (over 3.5 million volunteers in 100 countries). In Portland, thank you to the nearly 350 individuals of all ages (including 100 teens) who volunteered at 13 different projects ranging from the Oregon Food Bank to a Red Cross blood drive. We are grateful to our wonderful partners -- the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) and BBYO/B’nai B’rith Camp for helping make the day such a success.

This also happened to be National Volunteer Week! It’s an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service in our community. Volunteering brings people together to tackle society’s tough challenges, spark change, and build stronger, more resilient communities. We can all do our part to make our community and world a better place. Thank you to our community’s volunteers for making a difference every day!

Shabbat shalom.

Marc