Catastrophe and Tragedy

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Amin al-Husseini, the exiled Muslim Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, recruited Arabs for Nazi Germany,

 and in May 1948,

he called for the Arabs residing in Israel to leave their homes and flee to neighboring Arab countries.

Thus began the ‘catastrophe’  which  today is celebrated as Nakba Day.

 

Space within the Old City of  Jerusalem is very limited.

 The Arab town of Silwan

is really just down the street from the Kotel, the Western Wall. 

The Jewish Quarter of the Old City was attacked in 1948

 by the invading Jordanian forces and destroyed. 

 Jordan did not allow Jews access to the Jewish Quarter for 19 years.  Until June 1967,

the only view available to Israelis of the walls of the Old City was from across a vast No Man’s Land.

Many Arabs still live in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem, but the tragedy is that after all this time,

 so many others are still in refugee camps–all second-class citizens

in all the Arab countries to which they fled.

While in Jerusalem, either by day

or at night,

no matter what their attire,

an Arab man can freely walk alone

or with his family.

Even on the recent Fridays of  the “Days of Rage” in Egypt, Libya and Syria, men of all ages

  did not encounter security or check points in the Old City on the way to prayers.

Public parks are used for playing soccer with the kids

or school outings.

Space may be limited and tight, but if Arab leaders would stop inciting hatred,

stop spending their money on weapons and invest in education,

peaceful co-existence could be achieved.

 When 900,000 Jews were expelled from Arab countries in1948, they were forced to leave their fortunes behind,

they resettled around the globe and built new lives.

Today, hundreds tried to get through the border to Israel today from Syria in the North…

 where would you rather be?

 

Yom Ha’atzmaut 5771

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As the sun sets and the many solemn Yom Hazikaron observances come to an end,

the varied and diverse celebrations of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day, begin.

In some communities, the holiday begins in the synagogue with

with a special evening thanksgiving service, as this one in Rabbi Benny Lau’s Ramban synagogue.

 Beginning at nightfall, stores and businesses close.

The mangals, BBQs  and charcoal have been hard to miss this week,

because as early as sunrise people are out looking for a good spot

to start grilling.

There were so many people headed to nature trails that the list of parks

that were closed for lack of space got longer as the day went on.

But in the center of Jerusalem, as usual, it was Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

 where thousands of families and groups gathered-

some camping out from the night before,

others arriving early to get the perfect place,

 and a few lucky ones succeeding to find both privacy and shade.

There were  blue and white flags,

lots of blue and white flags, 

new and improved plastic hammers, 

 

and tee shirts,

lots of tee shirts.

Three helicopters flew over in formation.

followed by five F-16 fighter planes,

but it was the huge El Al jets that got the most attention.

Smoke filled the sky and cars were everywhere they could find a spot, legal or not, until late at night.

A day which started with the televised International Bible Quiz competition,

ended with the televised presentation of Israel Prize Honors.

Getting through the layers of security to sit in the audience took time, patience and a special ticket.

Certainly not the ‘real streets’ in the International Conference Center

 with government leaders at the dais waiting to congratulate the 10 distinguished honorees…

but what a way to celebrate Israel at 63.

Happy Independence Day!

Yom Hazikaron,To Remember

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While in most of the world it might be easy to miss Yom Hazikaron,

in Jerusalem, it is impossible to forget.

From announcements of major events of the day on the side of a bus

 

to a display of memorial candles in the shampoo aisle in the supermarket,

it is a day to remember

fallen soldiers

and the victims of terror attacks.

Since the Passover holiday ended, flags have been placed

on the tops of public buildings,

on businesses,

 and on private residences.

From the hat shop in the center of town

to the walls of the Old City,

the blue and white Israeli flag

seems to be everywhere.

As the sun set on Sunday night, local community ceremonies were held,

and major events were broadcast on television and radio.

The Churva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City was adorned with flags, waiting for visitors,

but mincha, the afternoon prayer service in the newly restored sanctuary was poorly attended.

Most views of the Kotel, the Western Wall plaza were blocked for security reasons,

as the official National commemoration began

with the honor guard and lighting of a memorial flame.

The new Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces, Lt. General  Benny Gantz addressed the public

after a speech by President Shimon Peres,

but those without the special tickets would have had a much better view at home on TV.

Heading home, the stores of Mamilla Mall and places of entertainment and food were all closed.

Monday many services, both public and private, are held to remember those who died…

and those soldiers still missing.

As soon as Yom Hazikaron ends at nightfall, as every year,

Yom Ha’atzmaut,  Israel Independence Day…begins.