What will I tell my grandkids?
Op-ed: Saying that a Jew has no place except for Israel would be a lie in this day and age
A few years ago, after living in the United States for seven years, my eldest son’s family returned to Israel. He’s a software engineer who worked in one of the world’s largest companies. She is an architect. They lived there as upper-middle class Americans. They had a nice house and their daughters went to an excellent private school.
After a year or two of adjustment to the northwestern US, there was nothing excruciating in their lives that would prompt them to return to Israel. Yet they returned. To this day, I haven’t been able to figure out the exact reason. My son’s answers are vague. I assume that several motives brought them back here, both simple and complex: Family, friends, language, army memories and odd love for the homeland’s stingy landscape.
Some regret the fact that their grandchildren will be American, but quite a few are satisfied with the fact that their descendents got rid of the desperate connection to this homeland, which is growing uglier. So these acquaintances are satisfied and they don’t bother to hide their glee behind hypocritical sighs. “Why is it their fault that my mother and father chose the wrong immigration destination?” they tell me. “I’ve become Zionism’s victim, but why should I punish my children and grandchildren?”
Israel a bitter destiny?
So yes, the following words must be uttered, despite the difficulty in saying them: For many Israelis, and especially the successful among them, the Israeli experience is perceived as a bitter destiny. Making a living is difficult, peace is remote, the next war is certain, the demographic power of the haredim will impoverish the economy, we see strong indications of fascism, and the Arab minority is alienated.So now the question is no longer why should one leave this country, but rather, why do so many people prefer to cling to this place even though they can move. Not only are these people refusing to consider the possibility of departing, they prepare themselves for the worst, that is, personal tragedy that may befall them as result of their devotion. Those who were never bothered by such horrific thoughts must not have children or grandchildren.
Yet I do; eight grandchildren thus far. What will I tell them, if they ask, once they reach the age where they can choose their own path? I would lie if I tell them that a Jew has no place except this place. I will lie if I tell them that only here they can be fully fulfilled. I will not be telling them that they must pay with their future for the sacrifices made by their forefathers to cling to this land. I will certainly not tell them that God ordered us to do so.
Up until a few years ago, I could say that Israeli society is wonderful: Colorful, lively, shows solidarity, and optimistic. A good society that will become even better in the future. I would have told them that everything depends on us. But I can no longer say that. The latest revelations about the Netanyahu family’s lifestyle made it impossible for me to keep clinging. I just cannot overcome the nausea.
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