Yom Ha’atzmaut and My Sister’s Fascinating Blog

Israel’s Independence Day is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Iyar, which is the Hebrew date of the formal establishment of the state, when members of the “provisional government” read and signed a Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv. The original date corresponded to May 14, 1948.

In honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, which falls out today, and yesterday’s Yom Hazikaron, Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism, I would like to share my sister Chanie (Susana) Scheiner’s amazing blog called Israel Unlocked.  Sometimes it is down due to editing.

Chanie so eloquently and articulately takes the issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict of years before to current times, and helps her readers understand the root of the matter. As an attorney she shares not only her personal views, but also international laws pertaining to the situation.

I love the tagline of her blog:

“The truly righteous don’t complain about ignorance; rather, they add wisdom.” – Rav Kook

She believes, as do I, that it’s crucial to share, learn, discuss and most of all be knowledgeable about all that is Israel. For people who stand with Israel, especially Jewish people who absolutely should (my views on that are worth another post here:)) the more educated we are, the better we can stand up for ourselves be it physically and verbally.

Please feel free to share her blog, comment and share your views or ask questions-she is very well versed in a lot of the difficult issues of the conflict. In her words:

“I encourage civil discourse on the topic and I’m open to comments, questions, and suggestions concerning this blog or the conflict.”

 

Here is a direct link to pages of legal analysis of the conflict which is simplified for the lay person;)

 

Her latest post:

Cruelty or Compassion? You Be the Judge

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To end, I would like to say that I am ever so grateful to the IDF who put themselves in harm’s way to allow the freedom for Jews and other people to visit and live in the beautiful Land of Milk and Honey. From all the way in America:

AM YISRAEL CHAI!

A touching and meaningful song

My father recently found this song on YouTube and sent it to me. It is very nostalgic to me because he used to sing it every Seudat Shlishit (the 3rd official meal of Shabbat).

It always resonated deep in my soul because as a Jew, the song, a parable about a little bird captured by a vulture,  hits home with its message about my nation being in exile and persecuted throughout the ages. Towards the end of the song, the little bird is yearning for the day that he is free. Much like the Jewish people yearning for the day of the exile ending, with the coming of Mashiach (Messiah).

Titled “The Little Bird is Calling”, it as written in 1947 by Malka Steinberg Saks at Camp Bais Yaakov. It was right after the end of World War 2 and one year before the establishment of the State of Israel.

Click below for the lyrics.