Leon's Jerusalem No News Bulletin (20)

Wed 3^rd May 06

People danced for joy in the streets of every town and village throughout Israel and in Jewish communities throughout the world when Israel became a state on the 15^th May 1948. But since then 23000 people have died, either as soldiers on the battle front or victims of terror attacks.

The reason why we celebrate and so keep these events real in our minds today is to be aware that they can happen again in the future. Celebrating encourages us to march forward and achieve success while at the same time to be prepared for the ultimate sacrifice..

We know that we can overcome our enemies because we've done so in the past and we know that we are mortal because we remember the dead.

To remember the great joy and dancing of those days, we dance and rejoice a little today and to remember the dead we die a little today.

Today in Israel people are rejoicing in many different ways and every year we have the same discussion about the correct way to celebrate the event of our independence.

Some say we should have a strict formula similar to the way we celebrate Passover, for example or the way we celebrate New Year. In fact the rabbinate of Israel directs us to gather in synagogues to recite the Psalms of praise to the Lord (Hallel).

The state has also instituted a Bible Quiz and a Bible champion is crowned. The president of Israel presents the Israel Prize to men and women who have made outstanding contributions to our society. The Army opens its bases for public visits and the Air force and Navy have demonstrations of their skill in warfare.

The National Parks Authority allows the public free entrance to all the parks.

But the most popular celebration is having a family meal usually consisting of a barbecue at home or in a park.

The sale of meat goes up more than 50% on Yom Ha-atzma-ut. (independence day)

I of course, being vegetarian, oppose this because I don't want my celebration to be the cause of the death of any living creature.

While my family rejoices in a festive meal I'll be guiding tourists in the Old City of Jerusalem.

I am happy to do this because I believe that somebody must, just as bus and taxi drivers, park attendants and the police and army must work today.

Yom Ha-atzma-ut in this sense is different from most of our national festivals where work is forbidden by Jewish law, like Sabbath, New Year etc.

Whatever way we have of celebrating I'm in favor of doing something because I believe that nothing separates a person from his nation more than forgetting its historical events and nothing does more to make our nation strong than remembering our past.

Wishing you a great no news Yom Ha-atma-ut.Leon.

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Written by:

Leon Gork. Israeli Tour Guide.

PO BOX 49091

Jerusalem 91491

Israel.

Tel/fax 02 5810732

Mobile phone 052 3801867

http://www.jerusalemwalks.tripod.com