Independence in a state of dependency

Gilor Meshulam, Israeli Shaliach

Just a few days ago, we celebrated one of our most important holidays – and arguably the one that kept the Jewish narrative alive for 3,000 years. We celebrated Passover.

At Passover, we have two main concerns. One is to make sure that we remember that we were slaves. As a nation that has been through many “Egypts,” Israel remembers how difficult it is to be a “second class citizen.” Therefore, every decision we make and every step we take is in light of our history. Thus, Passover is an opportunity to remind ourselves about compassion, caring and helping the weak.

Our other concern is to make sure that the younger generations are able to learn, understand and comprehend the Israelite history. We left Egypt almost 3,000 years ago, and all of our ancestors have witnessed the Sinai revelation. Since that moment to this day, Jews have been telling their children what was witnessed in the Sinai desert. Their children told it to their descendants, and eventually it got to us in 21st century America. Simply amazing.

So, celebrating Passover in the ancient kingdom of Israel  makes a lot of sense. But why here? Why now? And why “Next year in Jerusalem?”

In addition to being one of the most powerful “weapons” in the Jewish arsenal, I believe the haggadah also shows our endless longing for independence. To make our own decisions as a people, to be independent, to choose where we want to have our home. We look at our past as slaves and we say: never again. We will do anything that’s needed in order to find that independence.

For 2,000 years, Jews have lived where circumstances have brought us. Perhaps it was Poland when King Kazimierz III gave a safe haven in the Middle Ages from the increasing anti-Semitism all over western Europe. Or maybe it was the United States, the land of freedom and opportunities, after the May Laws in the late 19th century. Each of these places was great. They made us prosper, grow and develop, but they were always because of the circumstances – never as a real choice.

About 118 years ago, a group of Jewish people founded the Zionist Congress, led by Benjamin Ze’ev Herzl. And for the first time, we started making decisions as one people. But we were a nation without a land.

Eventually, (after a lot of sacrifices, arguments, fights, attempts to annihilate us, and even a few wars) we made it clear to ourselves and to the world that we need our own state.

Israel is the Jewish state. It doesn’t mean that all of the Jewish people have to live in the Jewish state, but it means that they can choose whether they want to or not.

Sixty-seven years ago, our people, our nation without a land fought for their right to make decisions. During the war of independence, more than 6,000 people made the ultimate sacrifice. Some of them with no families straight from Auschwitz, some of them volunteers with families in the U.S. or Europe, and some of them were Sabras.

After fighting against the Arab nations in 1947 and being victorious, we have shown ourselves that we did not forget the lesson of Passover. We will no longer be slaves. We will have the freedom of choice. We will have a place among the nations.

Today, 67 years later, we live with our own contemporary problems – our presidents, prime ministers, US-Israel relations, J-street, Stand with Us, right winged and left winged. Not much is new. Just like the Shomer Ha’Tzair and the Revisionist party 118 years ago in the Zionist congress. But all of us are united by one important thing: Israel. It doesn’t matter if you agree with the government or not; we all want a better Israel. We all want to see a better future. We all understand how important this piece of land is for us.

So wherever we choose to live – the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceana or Israel –we now know to be grateful for the choice that we have.

Having said that, I would like to invite all members of the Jewish community of greater Rhode Island – affiliated and non-affiliated, observant and less-observant, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, J-Street, Stand with Us and anything else that I might have missed – to the Dwares JCC for two events celebrating Israel’s independence.

The first event, Yom Ha’Zikaron (also known as Israel’s Memorial Day), will be held in the Board room on April 21 at 7:00 pm. We will offer our respect to the fallen soldiers of Israel who sacrificed their lives in order for us to have a choice.

The second event is an Israel-themed celebration for Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Join us in the Social Hall on April 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for Kosher Israeli food, an Israeli band, pita baking, henna art, workshops and more!

Wishing us all Yom Atzmaut Sameach, and many more to come, celebrating our freedom whether we are in Jerusalem or in Rhode Island!