A testament not only to the spirit of Israelis in the face of external, existential threat in general, but the spirit of inclusion and support for people with disabilities.
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Saturday, July 12, 2014
A very special wedding!
Amid all the scary news from Israel, I found this featured on the Jewish outreach site, aish.com:
A testament not only to the spirit of Israelis in the face of external, existential threat in general, but the spirit of inclusion and support for people with disabilities.
A testament not only to the spirit of Israelis in the face of external, existential threat in general, but the spirit of inclusion and support for people with disabilities.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Haftorah Beam - Emor
The haftorah reading for this parsha is not as problematic as the Torah reading which I discussed last year, and echoes the theme of priestly obligations. They are subject to more rules than the general population in matters of dress, diet, marriage and so on. Rather than being more privileged, as you would expect of the priestly class they are more restricted. This is summed up thus:
The additional restrictions and obligations are seen as a prized value, representing G*d's will through them. The verse goes further to remind the reader that the Levites had no portion in the Land of Israel, but instead lived among the other tribes. This, too, is a reminder that their portion of divinity trumps worldly possessions. This is parallel to Jewish "Chosenness". We are Chosen, yes -- for additional restrictions, for prolonged exile among the nations, and for bearing the brunt of persecution throughout the ages. But we bear these difficulties as a badge of honor, a symbol of our special relationship with our Creator.
This contrast is echoed again in this week's observances: Just a week after the Festival of Freedom (Passover), we commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day; a week after that (yesterday), we remembered the fallen soldiers in Israel's wars for its national survival; and today we return to the spirit of joy with Israeli Independence Day. Our joy and our freedom are inextricably linked to our struggles, both in the past and in the current generation.
This is how Memorial Day is observed in Israel.
| כח וְהָיְתָה לָהֶם לְנַחֲלָה, אֲנִי נַחֲלָתָם; וַאֲחֻזָּה, לֹא-תִתְּנוּ לָהֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל--אֲנִי, אֲחֻזָּתָם. | 28 And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession. |
The additional restrictions and obligations are seen as a prized value, representing G*d's will through them. The verse goes further to remind the reader that the Levites had no portion in the Land of Israel, but instead lived among the other tribes. This, too, is a reminder that their portion of divinity trumps worldly possessions. This is parallel to Jewish "Chosenness". We are Chosen, yes -- for additional restrictions, for prolonged exile among the nations, and for bearing the brunt of persecution throughout the ages. But we bear these difficulties as a badge of honor, a symbol of our special relationship with our Creator.
This contrast is echoed again in this week's observances: Just a week after the Festival of Freedom (Passover), we commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day; a week after that (yesterday), we remembered the fallen soldiers in Israel's wars for its national survival; and today we return to the spirit of joy with Israeli Independence Day. Our joy and our freedom are inextricably linked to our struggles, both in the past and in the current generation.
This is how Memorial Day is observed in Israel.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
An easy life
We were visiting a friend in Pardes Hanna yesterday, and talked about our tentative plans to one day move back to Israel. He said, "Life in Israel is not easy."
It's true. Cost of living is higher here in comparison with average salaries, security is always an issue, and our children would be subject to military service, with all that that entails. Life here is not easy.
"But," said my husband, "there are things here which are very worthwhile, and which we want our children to have as part of their growing up."
The sense of belonging. The sense of owning one's history. The sense of really being part of the extended Jewish family. Even the connection to our own extended family here. All of these are worth taking extra risks and making the extra effort of a "not easy life".
Many other things in life are "not easy", but are so very worthwhile.
The "good life" is not necessarily the "easy life".
"Hard" is not "bad".
It's true. Cost of living is higher here in comparison with average salaries, security is always an issue, and our children would be subject to military service, with all that that entails. Life here is not easy.
"But," said my husband, "there are things here which are very worthwhile, and which we want our children to have as part of their growing up."
The sense of belonging. The sense of owning one's history. The sense of really being part of the extended Jewish family. Even the connection to our own extended family here. All of these are worth taking extra risks and making the extra effort of a "not easy life".
Many other things in life are "not easy", but are so very worthwhile.
The "good life" is not necessarily the "easy life".
"Hard" is not "bad".
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Ethical Risk
After Shabbat dinner with my Israeli aunts, uncles and cousins (and assorted children), we had a lively conversation on a variety of topics, ranging from politics to child rearing, from gluten-free cooking to history and speculations about Armageddon.
One of my cousins was recounting his personal experience in the Israeli army, hunting down terrorists who were using "human shields". That is, instead of protecting civilians from the risk of being caught in the crossfire by providing shelters away from the fighting, they shoot at the Israeli soldiers from populated civilian homes and neighborhoods, often specifically surrounding themselves with civilians. My cousin explained that any other army in the world would consider it acceptable wartime ethics to call out on a loudspeaker that all civilians should evacuate the premises, and then bomb the $#%& out of the buildings involved. Not so the IDF. My cousin and his peers were required - by Israeli rules of engagement - to enter the buildings and pick out the targeted individuals while sparing civilians. Mind you that these targeted terrorists are not uniformed soldiers, but guerrillas who are dressed in civilian attire (except for the automatic weapons they are carrying), and often wear masks or keffiyehs over their faces to obscure their identities. Fighting under these circumstances inevitably results in greater Israeli casualties, but the Israeli army considers this risk worth the civilian lives which are saved - even enemy civilians!
Once again: Standard Israeli policy is that saving enemy civilian life warrants risking the lives of Israeli soldiers.
====================================
How many children with disabilities are dying of malnutrition and lack of medical care around the world, not because they have ever threatened anyone, but merely because their lives are not considered valuable by the societies into which they were born?
Is there a risk associated with adopting such children? Is there a risk associated with volunteering with organizations that seek to improve conditions in the orphanages? Is there a risk associated with working to bring about social change, so that people with disabilities are seen as equal members of the human race?
Yes, there are risks associated with taking a stand for something. That risk may be as mild as the foregone opportunities for personal advancement, or as severe as long-term negative impact on one's family. Yes, these are risks, which must not be ignored! But can they be compared to the risk an Israeli soldier assumes when he goes into battle, putting his own life on the line to protect, not just his own countrymen, but the civilians on the other side, who are (voluntarily or under duress) harboring the very terrorists he is fighting? Not even remotely!
Now I am certainly not saying that we should seek to live our lives on the level of heroism practiced by Israeli soldiers (who, after all that, are almost universally vilified as war criminals!). But the ethical principles which drive the policy of putting vulnerable lives ahead of our own, taking on risks when we are able to in order to save those who are not able to save themselves, are ones which we can and should apply to our civilian lives.
How can we ask our soldiers to risk their lives for something that we are not even willing to risk material losses or temporary discomfort?
One of my cousins was recounting his personal experience in the Israeli army, hunting down terrorists who were using "human shields". That is, instead of protecting civilians from the risk of being caught in the crossfire by providing shelters away from the fighting, they shoot at the Israeli soldiers from populated civilian homes and neighborhoods, often specifically surrounding themselves with civilians. My cousin explained that any other army in the world would consider it acceptable wartime ethics to call out on a loudspeaker that all civilians should evacuate the premises, and then bomb the $#%& out of the buildings involved. Not so the IDF. My cousin and his peers were required - by Israeli rules of engagement - to enter the buildings and pick out the targeted individuals while sparing civilians. Mind you that these targeted terrorists are not uniformed soldiers, but guerrillas who are dressed in civilian attire (except for the automatic weapons they are carrying), and often wear masks or keffiyehs over their faces to obscure their identities. Fighting under these circumstances inevitably results in greater Israeli casualties, but the Israeli army considers this risk worth the civilian lives which are saved - even enemy civilians!
Once again: Standard Israeli policy is that saving enemy civilian life warrants risking the lives of Israeli soldiers.
====================================
How many children with disabilities are dying of malnutrition and lack of medical care around the world, not because they have ever threatened anyone, but merely because their lives are not considered valuable by the societies into which they were born?
Is there a risk associated with adopting such children? Is there a risk associated with volunteering with organizations that seek to improve conditions in the orphanages? Is there a risk associated with working to bring about social change, so that people with disabilities are seen as equal members of the human race?
Yes, there are risks associated with taking a stand for something. That risk may be as mild as the foregone opportunities for personal advancement, or as severe as long-term negative impact on one's family. Yes, these are risks, which must not be ignored! But can they be compared to the risk an Israeli soldier assumes when he goes into battle, putting his own life on the line to protect, not just his own countrymen, but the civilians on the other side, who are (voluntarily or under duress) harboring the very terrorists he is fighting? Not even remotely!
Now I am certainly not saying that we should seek to live our lives on the level of heroism practiced by Israeli soldiers (who, after all that, are almost universally vilified as war criminals!). But the ethical principles which drive the policy of putting vulnerable lives ahead of our own, taking on risks when we are able to in order to save those who are not able to save themselves, are ones which we can and should apply to our civilian lives.
How can we ask our soldiers to risk their lives for something that we are not even willing to risk material losses or temporary discomfort?
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Israeli Independence Day
Between being away, and the Marathon Bombing taking over our consciousness, I missed recognizing Yom HaAtzmaut. Of course, with the bombing suspects' Al Qaeda associations, the coincidence may not have been so coincidental....
Israel is now 65 years old. It has gone from underdog to a military and economic force to be reckoned with. It has gone from an agricultural, socialist backwaters of the receding British Empire to a thriving free market economy, at the forefront of high tech, medicine, culture and human rights.
I love Israel.
Happy Birthday!!!!
Israel is now 65 years old. It has gone from underdog to a military and economic force to be reckoned with. It has gone from an agricultural, socialist backwaters of the receding British Empire to a thriving free market economy, at the forefront of high tech, medicine, culture and human rights.
I love Israel.
Happy Birthday!!!!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Special needs in the IDF
Thank you to my online friend Hevel for this link today.
Only in Israel are there programs in place to specifically enable people with physical, mental and developmental disabilities to contribute to the armed forces, in very real capacities, to the fullest extent of their capabilities, including an officers' course for the physically challenged! Especially given the central role of the IDF in Israeli society, this is huge! Although people with medical and other special needs are exempt from duty, being permitted to voluntarily enlist for service allows them to participate fully in society, instead of being left out. This is true tzedakah.
Man, I love Israel!
Only in Israel are there programs in place to specifically enable people with physical, mental and developmental disabilities to contribute to the armed forces, in very real capacities, to the fullest extent of their capabilities, including an officers' course for the physically challenged! Especially given the central role of the IDF in Israeli society, this is huge! Although people with medical and other special needs are exempt from duty, being permitted to voluntarily enlist for service allows them to participate fully in society, instead of being left out. This is true tzedakah.
Man, I love Israel!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Amidah - part 14 - Jerusalem
Here we pray for the glory of Jerusalem, for the kingship of David's descendants, and for resulting salvation.
Return in mercy to Jerusalem Your city and dwell therein as You have promised; speedily establish therein the throne of David Your servant, and rebuild it, soon in our days, as an everlasting edifice. Blessed are You L-rd, who rebuilds Jerusalem. Speedily cause the scion of David Your servant to flourish, and increase his power by Your salvation, for we hope for Your salvation all day. Blessed are You L-rd, who causes the power of salvation to flourish.
This has been part of daily Jewish prayers since before the time of Jesus. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people even when we were scattered among the nations (although there was always a Jewish presence in Israel, as well). When will the United States government show true leadership in recognizing this fact?
Return in mercy to Jerusalem Your city and dwell therein as You have promised; speedily establish therein the throne of David Your servant, and rebuild it, soon in our days, as an everlasting edifice. Blessed are You L-rd, who rebuilds Jerusalem. Speedily cause the scion of David Your servant to flourish, and increase his power by Your salvation, for we hope for Your salvation all day. Blessed are You L-rd, who causes the power of salvation to flourish.
This has been part of daily Jewish prayers since before the time of Jesus. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people even when we were scattered among the nations (although there was always a Jewish presence in Israel, as well). When will the United States government show true leadership in recognizing this fact?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
A Jewish Olympic Star
Many people follow the Olympics to see feats of physical greatness. It is not often you get to see acts of moral greatness, as well. On rare occasions, you see them both at once.
Aly Raisman is an 18-year-old gymnast who happens to live in a neighboring town to me. I don't know her, but now I will make a point of it.
She won the gold in the floor exercises event. Cool, right? She is a Jewish-American girl, and she chose the popular Jewish tune "Hava Nagila" for her routine. And she won! Then she took the podium and, as she accepted her medal, did what the organizers of the Olympics would not. She remembered the 11 Israeli victims of the 1972 massacre at the Munich Olympics.
She happens to have a younger sister the same age as one of my girls, who, like her, will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah this year. I can't wait to meet them!
Aly Raisman is an 18-year-old gymnast who happens to live in a neighboring town to me. I don't know her, but now I will make a point of it.
She won the gold in the floor exercises event. Cool, right? She is a Jewish-American girl, and she chose the popular Jewish tune "Hava Nagila" for her routine. And she won! Then she took the podium and, as she accepted her medal, did what the organizers of the Olympics would not. She remembered the 11 Israeli victims of the 1972 massacre at the Munich Olympics.
She happens to have a younger sister the same age as one of my girls, who, like her, will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah this year. I can't wait to meet them!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
An orphanage in Israel
Last week I posted a video about a wonderful private Israeli charity that takes care of abandoned babies in hospitals so they are able to be placed in foster care or adoptive homes.
Today I want to share about an Israeli girls' orphanage, run by an organization called Lev La-Lev (Heart to Heart). Unlike orphanages in many other parts of the world, this is a Children's Home which sees its function in preparing the girls for adult life, not merely warehousing them.
This preparation includes everything, from academic support:
to extracurricular enrichment:
To pre-professional training in computer graphics, fashion design, or nursing:
In addition, the girls are supported in their social and spiritual development, as they celebrate their Bat Mitzvah and prepare to find good husbands once they leave the shelter of the girls' home, so as to break the cycle of abuse and neglect that led to their own abandonment.
This is yet another way that Maimonides' highest form of charity can be fulfilled in the care of orphans today.
Today I want to share about an Israeli girls' orphanage, run by an organization called Lev La-Lev (Heart to Heart). Unlike orphanages in many other parts of the world, this is a Children's Home which sees its function in preparing the girls for adult life, not merely warehousing them.
This preparation includes everything, from academic support:
to extracurricular enrichment:
To pre-professional training in computer graphics, fashion design, or nursing:
In addition, the girls are supported in their social and spiritual development, as they celebrate their Bat Mitzvah and prepare to find good husbands once they leave the shelter of the girls' home, so as to break the cycle of abuse and neglect that led to their own abandonment.
This is yet another way that Maimonides' highest form of charity can be fulfilled in the care of orphans today.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A different kind of abandoned baby story
Yesterday I was getting depressed watching video after video of abandoned orphans wasting away in understaffed, unsanitary orphanages and institutions, when I saw a "related video" that caught my eye. Please watch..... the way it CAN be:
Amen.
Amen.
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