Israel:A Model of Perseverance
Patty Finkelstein, Mexico

Israel: A Beacon of Light
Hanita Ajnwojner, Germany

Israel: A Leader in Health Sciences
Eleonor Rachel Pirnay, France

Israel: A Blessing for all People
Simon Amroussi, UK

 

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Israel: A Model of Perseverance

Patty Finkelstein
Mexico

Israel has taught us, among many valuable qualities, perseverance. To be perseverant is to have the ability to keep going, to keep fighting, despite the difficulties and obstacles that might come one’s way; and, most recently, throughout the whole pandemic, Israel has been a model for the world in perseverance and strength.

Israel long ago earned its reputation as a “start-up nation,” due to a wealth of ideas and projects that have been developed by its citizens to benefit them as well as the rest of the world.  Just a few examples are Waze, a social transit application used globally; pen drives for easily storing and transporting computer data, first created in the mid-1990s by an Israeli company called M-Systems; Netafim, an Israeli company that has developed drip irrigation systems and equipment, and Re-walk, a device that works as a spinal replacement to help paraplegics stand up and walk.

Israel has been in the vanguard for its approval of the use of the Pfizer anti-viral pill.

And now, Israel has become a world leader in taking groundbreaking measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to its speedy and all-encompassing vaccination program, Israel has been in the vanguard for its approval of the use of the Pfizer anti-viral pill Paxlovid, which treats the disease. Also, since December, well ahead of most other countries, Israel has been administering a fourth vaccination in the form of a booster shot for its most vulnerable citizens.

Israel’s perseverance and pioneering efforts not only in the field of health, but in many of aspects of modern life, have influenced countries all over the world, and have proven how much the state values an excellent and healthy quality of life for all of humanity.

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Israel: A Beacon of Light

Hanita Ajnwojner
Germany

Though a tiny country, Israel holds enormous meaning for so many. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, called it “the home of hope” and “an everlasting symbol of the victory of life over death.” The founding of the Jewish State, emerging after the Shoah in 1948, was a miracle second to none that should never be taken for granted. That´s why it matters every single day.

Israel’s neighbouring countries have begun to understand the value of peaceful relations with the Jewish state.

Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and it has proven that it´s a vital, strong, and vibrant country working for the good of all humankind. Slowly, Israel´s neighbouring countries have begun to understand the value of peaceful relations with the Jewish state. The signing of the Abraham Accords brightens the future in the Middle East:  I´m excited to see which country will establish diplomatic relations with Israel next.

We always have Israel reminding us that miracles are possible.

Whatever the new year 2022 brings us, we always have Israel reminding us that miracles are possible, and we should never give up hope. Israel needs the support from us here in the Diaspora, but we also need Israel, not only as a safe haven in times of distress, but also as a beacon of light that guides us through difficult and uncertain times. I hope all KOL readers will see this light throughout 2022!

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Israel: A Leader in Health Sciences

Eleonor Rachel Pirnay
France

The first time I realized the power of Israel was at university in Paris.
It was known that our economics professor was very happy to
demonstrate how every country had flawed economics. One day he said: "There is only one country in the whole world that is a model economy and
is incredibly successful."

We were all desperately waiting for his revelation. After all his lessons on how to change the economy of many countries, we wondered about the identity of this miracle nation.  Then he announced, "It's Israel!" I was so surprised and impressed. 

From nothing, they have created a military power and a network of high quality public services.

But actually, when you think about it, it is clear that Israel has been able to transform a country whose people were scarred by wars from a nonentity into a nation that serves as an exemplar in terms of economics, modernity,
and technology.

From nothing, they have created a military power and a network of high-quality public services (health, education, and community, to name a few). In a very short time, Israel has managed to create a place for itself among the great countries of the world. But Israel’s importance is elevated even more today because of its response to the threat that asset that is most important in life: our health. From the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Israel has been a forerunner in all measures taken to protect the health of its citizens and has shown the way to other nations. Despite what some might consider an extreme response, Israel has continued in its measures, and the world is paying close attention to the results that Israel is achieving. The media looks to Israel's health situation to see what the rest of the world will do.

For Israel to continue to develop in all sectors, it has relied on supporters from all over the world. That is why I am proud to be involved with Israel Bonds, which has always worked to assist the Jewish state—a state that continues to matter to the world. 

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Israel matters today – more than ever

Simon Amroussi
United Kingdom.

On the 14th of May, 1948, when David Ben Gurion declared Israel’s independence, one could hardly imagine a Jew, whether Ashkenazi or Sephardi, Yemenite or Ethiopian, in any of the four corners of the earth, who did not proudly see themselves as Zionists for whom Israel
was a symbol of Jewish national identity. This sense of pride intensified at Israel’s miraculous victories in wars against mortal enemies vastly superior in number and resources. Even non-Jews all over the
western world were in awe of this underdog continuously punching above its weight. I remember at the beginning of the 1967 Six Day War, when Israel was reported to be losing badly, our postman, an English Christian, joined our weeping at a synagogue service.

Since 1966, thirteen Israelis have won the Nobel Prize for a variety of discoveries.

Apart from its spectacular military victories, Israel has excelled in almost all other fields of human endeavour. In mathematics, science and chemistry, physics, optics, medicine, economics, biotechnology, computer and mobile technology, agriculture and breeding. Some Israeli inventions like Waze have become household names. Many others, such as drip irrigation systems and Watergen, which creates water from the air, have revolutionised the agricultural industry, benefiting many countries by circumventing famine and hardship. Since 1966, thirteen Israelis have won the Nobel Prize for a variety of discoveries.

One could imagine that on account of all these successful and vital contributions to mankind, Israel would be seen today as a blessing to the world. Alas, no. On the contrary. Not only is it not lauded for its achievements, it is seen as a pariah state in many circles. This vision is not exclusive to Muslim societies; it is prevalent also among many Europeans and Americans. Adverse write-ups, rumours and insinuations in social media promulgated by Israel’s enemies have turned the tide very strongly against the Jewish state. Regrettably, many Jews have joined the bandwagon of abhorring Zionism, unaware that Zionism equals Judaism, and a Zionist-hater is very simply an antisemite. No nation, not China, not Saudi Arabia, not even Iran has been condemned in the United Nations as many times as Israel. A manifestation of this hatred is the emergence of the BDS movement, which promotes boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, ostensibly for its treatment of Palestinians. Many BDS members are Jewish.

No religion in history has been as closely tied to a land
as has Judaism.

A great number of Jews today do not take pride in Israel anymore. In America, rabbis have testified that they now think twice before mentioning Israel in their sermons.

What reason could there be for this fall from grace?

One possible, though hardly satisfactory, explanation is the simple fact that Israel is no longer the underdog it once was. It is currently viewed as a powerful military state, while the Palestinians are seen as underdogs. But there are many other mighty states who engage in the daily bullying of other countries or minority populations without
much censure.

So what is the real reason? The inescapable conclusion has to be antisemitism. However, as it is illegal in many parts of the world to be openly antisemitic, Israel has become the whipping boy of “woke” elites. Hiding under the accepted disapproval of Zionism, antisemites run wild in their unfair criticism of Israel.

While for antisemites the world would be a better place without Israel, how much does Israel matter today for the rest?

In truth, Israel matters today more than ever, especially for Jews.

In the words of Rabbi Sacks: “No religion in history has been as closely tied to a land as has Judaism. That connection goes back almost 4,000 years, from the first words of God to Abraham: ‘Leave your country, your birthplace and your father’s house and go to the land I will show you.’ No sooner had he arrived than God said: ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ Seven times God promised the land to Abraham, and promised it again to Isaac and Jacob.”

Herzl realised that a Jew could only live safely in his own homeland, and that remains true today.

For the Orthodox, who view the land as an eternal inheritance, and for a multitude of traditional Jews, the existence of the Jewish state enriches the lifeblood of their Judaism, past, present and future. One of the thirteen Principles of Faith by Maimonides is the belief in a Messiah who, as a king in the Davidic line, will occupy his throne in a
Jewish Jerusalem. 

What about the secular Jew? Well, Theodore Herzl was a secular Jew who saw firsthand the fallacy that Jews could be completely emancipated in free and just societies, and allowed to live and flourish peacefully in their exile. Herzl realised that a Jew could only live safely in his homeland, and that remains true today.

Jews who feel embarrassed about Israel or about being different from general society should think twice before shedding their historic nationality in favour of their adopted, endemic one. History has shown that when local nationalism fires up, Jews are among the first to be attacked.  

It can be argued that for non-Jews, too, Israel matters today more than ever.

For the past twenty years or so, the world has witnessed —not just in the Middle East— the rise of extremist nationalism, with horrific, unprecedented consequences. To have in existence by contrast and example a democratic state, whose main agenda is to live peacefully with its neighbours, while at the same time enriching the world with its useful and, at times, life-changing innovations, is indeed a blessing for all mankind.