B"H
Shavua Tov – A Good Deed For This Week
4/20/2007, This is the 17th Day of the
Omer – Parshat Tazria/Metzora
(Leviticus 12:1-15.33)
Note:
We include the citation for the Weekly Torah portion, which may or may not be
linked to this week’s Good Deed. We invite your response, comments
and suggestions.
Note:
All of the Shavua Tov
postings are available on our newly designed website: www.etzhayim.org Please note the
simple NO-COST ways you can support Etz Hayim by using Goodsearch
and IGive.
Implementing
Judaism:
Israel Independence
Day
Yom HaZikaron – Yom HaAtzmaut
April 22-23,
2007
Its Roots:
The establishment of the State
of Israel
on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar, 5708) spawned a new country and a new holiday. Jews across the globe celebrate the creation
of the Jewish homeland with parties and prayers.
In
contrast to the American pattern Israel celebrates Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and moves directly to Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day). The message of linking these two days is
clear: Israelis owe their independence— the
very existence of the state — to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for
it. The official "switch" from
Yom Hazikaron to Yom Ha-Atzmaut
takes place a few minutes after sundown, with a ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem
in which the flag is raised from half staff (due to Memorial Day) to the top of
the pole.
The
observance for this day is still in formation – some communities mark it with
parties, others with services, others with speeches. It may be the most visible example of the way
Jewish tradition continues to evolve.
Your Paths To Action:
How can I support Israel, let me
count the ways…..
Celebrate – at the Community-wide
Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration at the Federation (698 Beech St, Manchester)
at 6 pm on Thursday, May 3. Join in
activities, enjoy good food, listen to Shimon the Shaliach
as he shares stories and Israeli Rock & roll.
Advocate – Israel’s story must be told. You know there are too many people willing to
denigrate Israel’s efforts, so your advocacy makes a difference. Add your voice to those who speak out to tell
Israel’s story to our
legislators and to our neighbors and join AIPAC (www.aipac.org/)
or Vision (Voice of Israel
Initiative of New Hampshire
– Visionnh@gmail.com). Both Camera (camera.org/) and Honest
Reporting (www.honestreporting.com/)
provide reviews of media coverage which can inform your arguments on Israel’s
behalf.
Donate – The support Israel receives makes a difference. You can support Israel
by purchasing Israel
Bonds (www.israelbonds.com/). A contribution to the Jewish Federation
supports programs throughout Israel,
and you can speak with the Federation to see how your donation can make a
direct impact on our sister city, Hof HaCarmel.
Study – The story of Israel can be told in many
ways. News for Israel is
available on line at www.Ynetnews.com,
or at www.JTA.org among other sites. You can
find a reliable guide to the Israeli-Arab Conflict on line at www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths/mftoc.html. I recommend a wonderful history of the
region, Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East,
1776 to the Present, by Michael B. Oren.
Travel – I encourage every Jew to experience Israel
first-hand. Plan now (save now) to
travel there in your future. The
Federation has a Mission scheduled for this fall
(October 21-Nov. 1) which will visit Poland
and Israel. The URJ has a special tour this fall
especially for lawyers: http://www.arza.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1077&destination=ShowItem
There is a world of opportunity
for you to make a difference for our brothers and sisters in Israel. Yom HaAtzmaut is a wonderful time to begin.
Shavua Tov – May you
have a good week.