Moving to Israel

As we continue through the time of year where our Nation collectively “remembers” some of the most dire times in our history, begining from Erev Pesach / before Passover when we remember our bondage and our redemption from Egypt and continuing through our Holocaust Memorial Day when we remember the persecution of our people while the world watched indifferently, we now gear up for the Memorial Day for our fallen, those of our loved ones who fell in battle during the establishment of our State, or in battles since then and also our loved ones who were murdered by terrorists simply because they were Jews.

This time period and the circumstances surrounding them makes this article by Yehudit Tayar particularly excellent. She talks of how every day is Memorial Day for her when she grieves our beautiful brothers and sisters who have perished through the years simply for being Jewish and how remembering itself is not enough. She talks about how we must also fight while we remember. Fight for our survival, fight for our independence as a Nation, fight by insisting that the world accept our inalienable right to live in Israel and live as Jews and fight in the IDF and send our sons and daughters to fight proudly and with the human values that they inherit as Jews that are so  integral a part of our heritage.

This is but a small list of the some of things we must continue to fight for, but the message from Tayar is clear. Read this stirring article and let it help you feel the power of this week’s Memorial Day, when we mourn our fallen and prepare to fight for our future.

Ari

Always a popular and often controversial subject among people born and raised in Israel, as well as immigrants who choose to move to Israel, is the issue of army service in Israel.

One of the most common arguments/discussions in this area focuses on the requirements of the religious resident vs. their secular neighbors. Another frequently discussed issue is the matter of women serving in the IDF.  Rebbetzin Yehudit Shilat of Takana, a forum which fights sexual harassment, tackles both of those issues in an interview with Arutz Sheva where she states her belief that no woman, religiously observant or not, should be required to enlist in the military.

Shilat responded to a proposed Knesset law that would make it more difficult for young women to escape IDF service by claiming to be religiously observant. She expressed support for the proposed measures to ensure that all women who choose not to serve due to “religious reasons” are actually religious, and are not merely using religion as an excuse to evade national service altogether.

Shilat also stresses that there are many ways in which women can contribute to Israel’s security without joining the military stating that “Security isn’t just about war and related matters, it’s also about social welfare, health, education – that’s also part of creating a secure society.”

Go check it out as the interview is a well done piece with an intelligent interviewee that will surely open you up to an interesting perspective of this long running issue.

Ari

I wanted to point out a fantastic interview from the Jerusalem Post with newly appointed Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon. The sit down was done by veteran writer Yaakov Katz and is one of the finest pieces of journalism I’ve seen in some time.

Katz asks some very pointed questions and Ya’alon, former commander of the IDF who four years ago completed an illustrious 37-year military career, is extremely candid and forthcoming on some of the important security issues facing Israel and the world today.

This is highly recommended reading for everyone and you are all encouraged to pass this along to everyone you know. Enjoy.

 Ari

I just received a very important email from Michal Moreno who works for the Israeli government on a very special project for the LIBI fund. The LIBI fund’s  - the fund for strengthening Israel’s defense - current project is about raising support (and funds) for Israeli troops in GAZA.

For this cause, LIBI has produced a video which can be viewed here. I was asked by Michal to post the video and, upon viewing it, agreed immediately. Please give it a watch, forward it to everyone you know and consider giving to this very important cause. The IDF and the Jewish people need all the help we can get.

Thanks for the support and for spreading the word.

 Ari