The BJC Yom Ha’atzmaut Booklet

5 Iyar, 5780 | April 29, 2020 Issue #6 – Yom Ha’atzamut, Israeli Independence Day

with us their thoughts and experiences about living in and about Yom s I wrote in yesterday’s email, Ha’atzmaut. After reading them, you it is regretful that this year's A will have a great sense of what it feels Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut like to be in Israel right now. Thank you will not enjoy the public observances to everyone, near and far, who submitted that they have deservedly received their thoughts, projects and photos to make every year for more than seven Yom Ha’atzmaut 5780 special for all of us at decades. Ironically, since all Beth Joseph Congregation. Note: The programming is pushed online this ordering of the submissions in the booklet is year, these days can now be more based on booklet layout considerations. meaningful to those of us that live in Chutz La'aretz - the Diaspora. Understandably, we often feel detached from these Israeli holidays. This year, however, we are fortunate to have many valuable online programs to choose from - including our own unique BJC Zoom program this evening. We hope you take advantage of these opportunities that we have this year and have an especially meaningful Yom Hazikaron and a joyous and inspiring Yom Ha'atzmaut.

For this special edition of the BJC Shabbos Booklet, we have asked some of our Sky at the . Dr. Sandra Schimel members and friends that have made to share Rabbi Dovid & Odette Olim onboard. There were no children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren to Rebibo greet us, just a representative from the Jewish Agency to go over some vital Dear Rabbi Yisroel Isaacs and Beth formalities to comply with Aliyah Joseph Congregation/Phoenix Hebrew procedures. We were on one of the last Academy, flights before all flights to and from For the last 50 plus years, Odette and I Israel were cancelled, it reminded me of have been making the journey between The Last Metro1 (The Holocaust). Phoenix and Eretz Yisrael. This was We immediately went into quarantine, always a as required joyous by law. It occasion, to see was just a the family and couple of enjoy Eretz weeks before Yisrael. This Pesach. Then time however, came Seder it was night – in all bittersweet, to our years of say the least. marriage this When we left, was the first we were so time Odette excited by the and I spent reception we Seder alone. received from the Ein Gedi. Dr. Sandra Schimel We cannot currently Rabbeyim and the staff, enjoy seeing family in the way that we coming to accompany us and show their always have – aside from the ways the support. But as soon as we reached JFK modern and hyper-technological world the mood changed drastically, the has impacted and fractured the family normally bustling airport was deserted, institution. Despite the limitations, the and the atmosphere was tense and tight. separation, and the seclusion, we cannot Our flight on the 17th of March was an Aliyah Designated Flight, but when we arrived at Ben Gurion, we were the only

1 The Last Metro (French: Le Dernier Métro) is a area of Paris which keeps up passive resistance by 1980 French historical drama film. Opening in 1942 maintaining its cultural integrity, despite censorship, during the German occupation of France, it follows antisemitism and material shortages, to emerge the fortunes of a small theatre in the Montmartre triumphant at the war's end. lose sight that the family is the DNA out observe how the and white Magen of which we will prevail and build. David Flags fly proudly. The country as a whole will at last have a moment of This past week the country joy in celebrating and remembering the commemorated Yom Hashoah. The prominent role that G-d plays in the Holocaust affects us affairs of the Promised because it brings alive Land. The for each and every one is indeed the state of of us the challenge of the chosen people and our history. It was a remains the chosen chapter to never be land for us all. One forgotten, and the thing is clear, the shrill darkest of our history. of this Magefah2, It is also an COVID-19, and the opportunity to resounding silence it recognize the vital brings through work of the Holocaust isolation, clears our survivors, and their thoughts and allows us outsized contribution to focus on life’s to the inception of the priorities. State of Israel. We are now looking towards Faith has tested us in Dr. Sandra Schimel at Shiloh, the next event in Israel. seclusion – since our an ancient site of the Mishkan Our focus will be on the arrival our life has had commemorating Yom Hazikaron. Every its twists and turns. Despite the year as the clock strikes 8:00 in the challenges of separation and distance, evening on the 4th day of Iyar, the Air we cannot be grateful enough for all the Raid Siren sounds loud and clear across chesed and help granted to us the land of Eretz Yisrael. For one throughout this period. It is indeed for moment the entire country stops Odette and I, and all our family, a whatever they are doing in silent dream come true. retrospection. It is the ultimate Yizkor Shalom uBracha, we miss you all. for those who gave and sacrificed their all for Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi and Odette Rebibo The next day is 5th of Iyar, Yom Haatzmaut. From our balcony we

2 plague Rabbi Sholom Twerski this Talith from its bag and unroll it before the eyes of Israel and the eyes I’ve been thinking about colors and of all nations. So I ordered a blue and flags. White and blue. Israel. What does white flag with the Shield of David a flag represent? What does OUR flag painted upon it. That is how the represent? , that flew over Congress Hall, came into being.” A flag represents the nation, so it also must mean something essential to who The flag of Israel we are, represents that what we cloth that Jews want the wrap themselves world to in when they pray every know morning- the when Talit. The stripes they look that are part of at our the design of the flag. Talit used to be What WE blue- symbolic of want to the blue strands of tzitzit- the know techelet- that we when we lost centuries look at The Kotel, as seen from the roof of Aish HaTorah. ago. And the our flag. Dr. Sandra Schimel of David, of course, is the David Wolffsohn (1856–1914), unabashed symbol of the Jews a Lithuanian businessman and second internationally. president of the Zionist Organization, The Medrash states regarding the wrote: techelet – why is it blue? The color “At the behest of our leader Herzl, I reminds one of the sea, which in turn came to Basle to make preparations one of the sky, which recalls the for the Zionist Congress. Among heavenly Throne of Glory. When we see many other problems that occupied the techelet upon our when we me then was one that contained pray, we are meant to be transported in something of the essence of the our mind’s eye as if we are standing Jewish problem. What flag would we before the Throne of the Almighty hang in the Congress Hall? Then an Himself. It is a position which makes idea struck me. We have a flag—and one conscious of one’s vulnerability, it is blue and white. responsibility, and accountability. The talith (prayer shawl) with which we wrap ourselves when we pray: We find the Talit being used by G-d that is our symbol. Let us take himself as a symbol of leadership. When Hashem taught the 13 Attributes of over to get ready for Yom Ha’atzmaut, Mercy to Moshe, He showed Himself as even seeing people gather in parking a Shliach Tzibbur, the leader of the lots to daven while social distancing prayer service, and instructed, “Act like brings a smile in hard times. Even this before Me, and you will never go unanswered.” though this is a difficult situation it’s I believe the Israeli flag reminds us of nice to see Israel come together and still our moral imperative as the Nation of celebrate. G-d, to lead the world in the recognition that we all stand before G-d, of our

responsibility to act in a way which is Rabbi Joel Rebibo congruent with that awareness, to help Israel is wonderful during the good those that are less fortunate, and to times, and even more wonderful during develop a relationship with the Divine. the challenging ones. That is something that I can pledge Miriam and I feel so blessed to be here allegiance to. now, during the coronavirus crisis. We

open the window in the morning and Sydni Zinker hear minyanim being held on nearby buildings' porches. As I can imagine, quarantining is probably pretty much the same no I have a friend in his 80s, who received a matter where you are, but luckily, I care package on erev Pesach from the made it to Israel Jerusalem Municipality with everything just in time. he needed for the seder, including Although self- charoset. Where in the world do you see isolating isn’t very a government body worrying about exciting, there are such things? little instances that make being here Most beautiful was seder night, when meaningful and children went out onto their porches heartwarming. with their parents at 8:30 p.m. and sang Between patrolling Ma Nishtana, so that the elderly and others who were alone could hear it. A Parking Lot Minyan cars that blast Israeli songs to cheer friend of ours, a widow who for the first everyone up and everyone meeting on time had to be alone for the seder, their balconies to sing Ma Nishtana on without her grandchildren, told us that Seder night to entire neighborhoods she couldn't stop crying on hearing Ma singing Shalom alechem to welcome the Nishtana coming from all directions. Shabbat to all the Israeli flags hung all The army's most elite units got involved Israel was proclaimed. Its birth was in helping the health system cope with miraculous and its development has the pandemic, as did hi-tech been miraculous. And Miriam and I can professionals who volunteered their confirm what Yeshoshua and Calev skills and time (guys in 3-D printing said: The land is very, very good. "printed" hoses needed to refurbish old May we merit to see the redemption, ventilators). speedily in our days, and all of you here Israel is the best place in the world to be together with us in the . at this time because baruch Hashem the government has made wise choices; a Gabi Turner survey just came out showing that I made Aliyah August 30, 2018 and have despite the social distancing people feel had one amazing journey here in Israel. closer than ever. As hard as it was to leave my home and family and friends and especially Beth The state of Israel is a miracle. I just read Joseph, I feel at home in Israel. I went that Emile Zola, the French novelist who straight to a wrote J'Accuse in the North and in defense of lived there for a full Dreyfus, the year learning Jewish officer Hebrew, milking who was cows, and making falsely deep connections convicted of with my Jewish treason in the heritage. This year, I 1890s, moved to Jerusalem predicted that and am doing it would be national service at impossible to Gabi Turner at work on Kibbutz Sdei Eliyahu Shaarei Tzedek create a Jewish Hospital. There is state in the Middle East. Why would nothing more satisfying than helping Jews leave established countries to go my patients 5 days a week. Overall, I live in some forsaken piece of land in have some incredible stores in my year Asia, with no common language, no plus of Aliyah. But more than that, I’ve common political culture … He was done something that I wish every Jew right. could do.... come home. Phoenix will And yet within less than 50 years, three always be part of my story in the best of years after the Holocaust, the state of ways, but the land that I live in now is where I intend to write the rest of my feel when my children play in parks and walk to friends houses. And the feeling חג שמח .life’s story that you’re not alone when everyone Brandi Zinker sings shalom alechem together from The reason I made Aliya you ask? their balconies before each Shabbat Simple, because I fell in love. I fell in when stuck in quarantine. And that’s love with the land, the people, the how I fall in love with this country over culture, the feeling of belonging and last and over again. Happy Birthday Israel. but not least my husband. Sure, after living here for so many years , things Sara Turner start becoming repetitive and regular , The journey or moving to a new place is as I would think would happen really never easy for anyone, but moving to anywhere that you live for a long period another country on the opposite site of of time. But the small the world where you things that you see and barely speak the language feel here can’t compare to is a different kind of crazy. anywhere else in the Since I've moved here, I've world. gone from polite American Things like the sadness to somewhat pushy Israeli. you feel when the whole That transition hasn't been country stops for a minute the easiest but if you want to stand in respect for to get things done you fallen soldiers and those have to make sure your who perished in the voice is heard. When I holocaust. Like the fear went into the army my you feel when your commanders couldn't give husband gets a call from me my lone soldier the army for a tzav benefits for a month, not shmone (emergency call). because they were trying Like the pride you feel to be mean, but because when the skies light up in Sara Turner celebrating a someone had accidentally singing and celebration on prior Yom Ha’atzmaut filed my paperwork wrong Independence Day. The and none of it was feeling that you’re not different and can computerized. I think that was my walk in the middle of the busiest gateway moment to becoming Israeli highways because there are no cars on when I had to fight for everything that I the road on Yom Kippur. The safety I needed. I mad e friends both Israeli and Olin that helped me grow and change. has pretty much been in lockdown and By the end of the army you could have self-quarantine since Purim ended. It given me a degree in bureaucracy has been challenging, but we are all in management, because nothing they this together. There has also been a threw at me really phased me anymore, positive side to the Covid-19 pandemic. and those friends I made along the way From mirpeset (balcony) parties, to kind of because an impromptu family davening with our entire street from our that I know i cam turn to if need be. balconies every Friday night and There’s something about this place that Shabbat, to all the children singing Ma everywhere you go is a new experience Nishtana in unison from their balconies and a new adventure. for the elderly who were by themselves for the Seder, have united now David Isaacs more than ever and are looking out for E levated spiritually one another. R esilient This year Israel is turning 72, and it is E xcellent exciting to be here to celebrate Yom T alented Ha’atzmaut, even though it will be from Z ealous inhabitants the courtesy of our own home and balcony. It still is exciting as we see Y erushalayim everyone preparing for this day. All the I m Eshkachech es Yerushalayim patios and backyards have Israeli flags tishkach yemini hanging proudly and waving in the S trong wind, and all the streets in all the cities, R eality = Miracles towns, and yeshuvim are decorated A lways in our hearts with Israeli flags. It is amazing to be a E ntrancing part of this and feel the country’s pride. L earning in the many yeshivos and colleges

יום העצמאות ה72- למדינת ישראל Mikie Benjamin This is our first year in Israel and our Aliyah has been an adventure. Who would have thought that during our first year we would be stuck in quarantine? In Israel, the whole country Gabi Turner with Zalman Segal Even though the kids are doing virtual and the food ordered has been delivered learning, the schools have sent projects to nurses and doctors, and to thousands to do for Yom Ha’atzmaut such as of combat soldiers who have been on making our own flags and maps of base for close to 2 months now. Israel and more. All our kids have Different grassroot organizations have started learning about Yom Haatzmaut also delivered hundreds of thousands of and its significance, especially about all flags to entire neighborhoods the brave soldiers who risked and/or throughout Israel. Although we won’t lost their lives for experience all the parties, the existence of parades and ceremonies in Israel. They learn to person, we’ll still be able to appreciate even celebrate from our balcony more the Israeli with the rest of our Defense Force (IDF) neighbors and watch the and learn what it fly-over, means to serve in and we invite all our friends the IDF and take and family from Phoenix pride in being a and Beth Joseph, whom we citizen of this miss dearly, to come join us magnificent next year in Israel to country. You really celebrate with us. Yom feel like part of the Haatzmaut Sameach from mishpacha here the Benjamins (Shaun, and we are all Am Mikie, Sarit, Noam, Yaeli, Yisrael, where The Benjamin Family arriving in Israel Shani, and Daniella)! everyone is there last summer. for one another. What Yom Haatzmaut Hundreds of volunteers and thousands Means to Me of soldiers have so far distributed By Noam Benjamin hundreds of thousands of food packages This is my first year here in Israel. My to the elderly and the needy. Hi-Tech favorite things about Israel are the trees companies and other large businesses and flowers and the food. Pesach was have been supporting smaller fun too. I feel happy to be here for Yom businesses such as falafel, pizza, and Haatzmaut because I heard from people other food entities, by ordering large here that it’s really fun, but this year it’s orders to help support these small going to be a little different because of businesses during this difficult time, the corona. We’re going to have a party on our mirpeset (balcony) and so is visit Phoenix soon, and I hope for my everyone else. We’re going to decorate friends and family to visit me here too. I our mirpeset with Israeli flags and blue miss everyone in Phoenix and Yom and white and have a party on our Haatzmaut Sameach from Efrat! mirpeset. Our neighbors You and Me also are decorating by Dr. Yisroel Loeb their I see her in the dim light from balconies and afar will have A little older parties. There A little more broken are going to But ever more beautiful be fireworks, and I’m really Sarit and Noam Benjamin and their siblings My longing again excited. It’s reawakened really good to be here, but I also miss all As if always simmering just beneath the my family and friends in Phoenix and surface from PHA. Israel is turning 72 and next I walk slowly towards her year I hope all my friends and family Each step measured will celebrate with us here in Israel. Full of awe and love Slowly but as if on air What Yom Haatzmaut Means to Me By Sarit Benjamin The emotion is all there on my face No need for words I am really excited for Yom Haatzmaut The pain in my heart this year. I heard from people here that The dark passages of my psyche Yom Haatzmaut here is really fun, but The blood of the past this year it will be a little bit different. The I of the future Everyone will go out on their mirpeset (balcony/patio), and there will be Are as if never there blasting music and flags everywhere. It is just you and me During the day, there will be army Pure emotion planes that will fly over us, and at night, Simple love there will be fireworks. I am really True devotion happy to be here in Israel, but at the Locked in this dance for eternity same time, I miss all my friends and family in Phoenix. I hope to come and My fingers brush across your face Seeking out the lines, the crevices, Until I once again have the strength The hills, the valleys. The willpower Wanting to know the stories, To move on The secrets they tell To stand up To walk on my own I pull you close against me Trying to gain solace I kiss you over and over again Yearning for some warmth As if trying to draw from you A drop of your blood No need for words An imprint of you I can carry forever Just my eyes closed My head lying in the crook of your neck As I walk away from you Rocking back and forth Never turning my back Keeping my eyes on your loving face I cling to you I think to myself how fitting your name I fall to my knees in shame The Wailing Wall. My arms wrapped around your knees

I open my mouth but all that comes out Is a croak of pain Jordan Krizman Of longing Living in Israel has been a whirlwind. Life is faster, busier and has been more The foolishness of my youth haunts me meaningful. The greatest thing for us The scars never healing has been the shift in our kids' Jewish The loneliness never leaving identity and their relationship to Israel. I beg of you as your blood mingles with Instead of being a concept they hear mine about, they get to experience the land To forgive me and love me openly once and the people, firsthand. again

Your emotional draws My longing for you Is so deep It is like a sharp pain deep within me

I wrap my arms around you And just stand there silently Tears streaming down my face The Krizmans Project : Nomi Weintraub

My Heart Aches for You, Israel By Randi Jablin Written on Nov. 8, 1996, shortly after her second trip to Israel

My heart aches for you, Israel, and your skyline of gold And the enlightening stories that our guide, Eliezer, told. What can be said to one who's never been? It's an Indescribable feeling of warmth that stays within.

My heart aches for the beauty of the Jewish quarter And the innocent kids playing, oblivious to the Hostile borders. Your skies are so blue and the air so warm, You are so full of history and wonderful charm!

My heart aches for the wonder of the and the hundreds of Hasidim who stand so very tall. Yarmulkes and mezuzahs are such a common sight, It gives me a sense of belonging that feels so right.

My heart aches for Tiberias, , and the Dead Sea and jeeping through the Judean desert that was an absolute epiphany! The friendships that were formed were heartwarming and real, A special bond between us that forever we will feel.

My heart aches for you, Israel, but it won't be such a long wait For I'll be back for your 50th birthday in 1998!

Randi did visit Israel again in 1998 (and subsequently as well).