Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein - For the Love of Israel: the Holy Land: From Past to Present. An A-Z Primer for Hachamin, Talmidim, Vatikim, Noodnikim, and Dreamers

One does

ONE ASCENDS THE ROAD TAKEN BY GENERATIONS ONE BRINGS RUCKS ACKS

not travel

STUFFED WITH MEMORIES TO EACH MOUNTAIN AND EACH HILLONE OFFERS

to Jerusalem.

A BLESSING FOR MEMORIES OF THE PAST WHICH HAVE BEEN RENEWED.

One returns .

~ Yitzhak Yasinowitz

THE METEORIC RISE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL IN 1948 FROM THE ASHES OF EUROPE IS BEYOND INSPIRING.

Its continued survival against all odds and its very existence is a direct result of the unequalled dedication and determination of some seven million residents, each one caring deeply for this tiny plot of land after just six decades of Statehood. Israelis love their culture and are passionate about their political system. Their survival is never taken for granted.

Israel is a land of unbelievable contrasts and short distances, a country whose tumultuous existence often overshadows the rich and vibrant life within it. Israel is a land of incredible beauty, character, and variety. It is where the worlds religions were born and passionate battles were fought to protect them.

For many, Israel has become synonymous with conflict and terror. Yet beneath the surface, this tiny stretch of land inspires an incredible mesh of beliefs, weaving a tapestry of beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. Thanks to its millions of immigrants, many different faiths, and numerous cultures, Israels uniqueness shines forth. Whether you have been to Israel once or many times, we hope you enjoy this journey from past to present and from present to past.

Abba Father Achla Wow Ahalan Hello Achad One Acharai After me Ahavah Love Al hapanim Awful Am People

A is for

Ali yah ,

To go up a steep ascent

Following in the footsteps of Abraham ,

Who crossed over the Fertile Crescent.

A ccording to tradition, traveling to the Land of Israel is an ascent, both geographically and metaphysically. Anyone traveling to Eretz Israel from Egypt, Babylonia, or the Mediterranean basin (where many Jews lived in early rabbinic times), climbed to a higher altitude. In 1933, David Wolfsohn was given the task of creating a flag for the Jewish State to be unveiled at the Zionist congress. He chose a combination of the Magen David (the star/shield of David) and the tallit (the traditional prayer shawl). The sky-blue color is said to evoke the presence of God. The interlocking triangles point in all directions, forever linking the past and the future. The beauty of Israelalways look up.

Once I sat on the steps by a gate at Davids Tower, I placed my two heavy baskets at my side. A group of tourists was standing around their guide and I became their target marker. You see that man with the baskets? Just right of his head theres an arch from the Roman period. Just right of his head. But hes moving, hes moving! I said to myself: redemption will come only if their guide tells them, You see that arch from the Roman period? Its not important: but next to it, left and down a bit, there sits a man whos bought fruit and vegetables for his family. ~ Tourists by Yehuda Amechai

Boker tov Good morning Betayavon Enjoy your meal Bseder A-Okay Bevakasha Please Bhatzlacha Good luck Bakbook Bottle Balagan A mess

B is for

Birth right ,

A privilege, a heritage, a right

To eat Bissli and Bamba

With never a fear or fright.

In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.

This country made us a people; our people made this a country.

~ David Ben - Gurion

B amba has been Israels most popular snack food since it was first created in 1963. It controls 25 percent of the snack-food market in Israel. Made with peanut butter-flavored stuffed corn, it has been called cheese doodles without the cheese. Its rival Bissli comes in many different flavors and many different shapes. Biss means bite, li means for me.

The source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty. It is grounded in the shared spirit of our people. The bonds of the book, the ties of the soul. ~ George W. Bush

Chaver Friend Chaval al hazman Amazing Chagiga Party Chadash New Chalutzim Pioneers Cheshbon Check/bill Chamudi Cutie Chayalim Soldiers Chaval Too bad Chaim Life

C is for the Chalutzim ,

The pioneers who changed our way.

Like Our Man in Damascus

and Omri Casspi in the NBA.

T he early Chalutzim who came to Israel to drain swamps and make the desert bloom considered themselves revolutionaries. They had not come just to change the condition of the land, but also to change themselves. They were aiming for a revolution in the character of the entire Jewish people. They came to the country to transform it, and in so doing, they transformed themselves. Eli Cohen was a Jewish Egyptian recruited in 1960 by the Mossad (Israels secret service) to become a special agent in Damascus. Living under the name Kamel Amin Tsaabet, he infiltrated the highest levels of Syrian intelligence and sent crucial messages back to the Mossad to aid the Israeli effort. In 1965 his radio message was intercepted, and he was caught and publically hanged in Damascus.

Omri Casspi , in 2009, became the first Israeli selected in the first round of the National Basketball Association draft. The Sacramento Kings selected him with the the 23rd pick in the draft. In the Jewish world, a 6-foot, 9-inch small forward is a GIANT and is looked up to by 99.9 percent of population. And he can jump!

America and Israel share a special bond. Our relationship is unique among all nations. Like America, Israel is a strong democracy, a symbol of freedom, and an oasis of liberty, a home to the oppressed and persecuted. ~ Bill Clinton

Dati Religious Dash Regards Derech Eretz Way of the Land Dachlil Scarecrow Dor Generation

D is for Degania,

The countrys first collective farm.

On this kibbutz Moshe Dayan was born;

A hero filled with bravery and charm.

M oshe Dayan belonged to a new generation of tough, home-grown military commanders. He was born in 1915 to Shmuel Dayan, a member of Degania, the very first kibbutz, which was located near the Sea of Galilee. He joined the Haganah in his teens and in 1941 lost an eye in an operation against French forces in Lebanon. Beginning in 1948, Dayan held many positions in the Israel Defense Forces. He was chief of staff and a minister of defense during the 1967 War. Besides his military career, Dayan was a farmer, a secret poet, an amateur archaeologist, a politician, and a statesman who usually spoke briefly and to the pointa rarity for any politician, especially an Israeli one.