My 1st Independence Day in Israel
With butterflies in their stomach and a sparkle in their eyes, new immigrants remind us what it's like to be in love with Israel
These are their stories, and this was their first Independence Day in Israel.
Daniel Altman, 19: From Australia to Kibbutz Tzuba
I'm here because: "I feel that this is my place as a Jew. I want to be here in order to ensure that the Jewish nation survives and in order to fulfill my role among the Jewish people."
'Israelis make you feel at home.' Daniel Altman
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"I feel safe here, and I don't have to constantly justify who I am as a Jew. The fact that a haredi Jew with a shtreimel can walk alongside a secular Jew makes me feel that it doesn't matter which sector I belong to, because the State cares for all Jews and we all care for each other."
Do you view the State's establishment as a real miracle?
"Personally, I don't view the State's establishment as a miracle, although I do see the importance of religion in Israel's creation. If there was no connection to Judaism – the Jews would not dream of sovereignty here. The miracle, in my eyes, if that the rich Jewish culture and the strong connection to Judaism made the State of Israel's establishment possible."
Does the State have a religious significance?
"Of course. The fact is that we have so many historic places linked to Judaism – whether in the Golan Heights, in Jerusalem or in the Dead Sea. Jews used to live here, and today they've returned here."
Does the State allow religious independence?
"I don't feel I'm being forced to belong to a certain religious stream. We are free to experience our Judaism in a way which suits each person. If I want to keep kosher, I don't have to find food in the supermarket through a written guide. And on the other hand, on Shabbat no one forbids me to drive to the beach with my friends."
Being a Jew in Israel is: "The fact that I can walk on the street and know that I'm connected to the person standing next to me. Even if we argue, we're still connected as Jews."
The most Israeli trait: "Israelis' openness. More than once, Israelis that I'd only just met invited me to their homes. Israelis make you feel at home."
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"That Israel remains strong and that we remember what we're trying to achieve here – a home for all Jews, no matter who they are or what they are."
- Daniel Altman is a graduate of the Beitar movement's annual Hachshara program. He will soon be joining a combat unit through the "Garin Sabra" project.
Shapiro family: From Cleveland, Ohio to Efrat
Participants: Noam and Aliza Shapiro, 32; Ayelet, 7; Deborah, 4; and the twins Akiva and Doron
I'm here because: "I have two sisters who already live in Israel, and its much warmer and nicer here than in Cleveland!" (Aliza)
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"It's a state for the Jewish people, whose fate is determined by collective actions of the Jewish people."
Do you view the State's establishment as a real miracle?
"Definitely. The people of Israel's return to their homeland and the restoration of Israeli sovereignty are two things that are so meaningful, that we have no doubt God was involved in them."
Does the State allow religious independence?
"On a major scale, individuals can do as they please. The State and its government promote Jewish culture by supporting Jewish-cultural institutions and actions, like using Hebrew dates and setting Shabbat as the day of rest."
What is the ideal State of Israel in your eyes?
"A nation living in peace with its neighbors, with a society based on the values of the Torah and fear of God, respect, dignity, reliability and courtesy."
Being a Jew in Israel is: "An authentic and holistic experience. You can feel Jewish in a much stronger way because Judaism is not just a faith, but also a nationality."
The most Israeli trait: "Determination."
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"Peace, a day of rest on Sundays, and stores like Target and Walmart."
Private Elad Zigler: From Holland to Armored Corps
I'm here because: "I think the army is compulsory – not just for every Israeli, but for every Jew too. At the end of the day, we're not just defending the State of Israel, but all Jews."
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"It's the only place in the entire world where there's a real place for Jews. There are many places you can live in, but only in Israel you can really live the Jewish way, any way you want, without people bothering you."
Do you view the State's establishment as a real miracle?
"A magnificent miracle. There is no other nation which has returned to the place it came from after 2,000 years. Many have tried to destroy us, and we're still here. It shows God's love for us. Being one nation in a State of our own is a very big achievement."
Does the State have a religious significance?
"Of course. It's the country we got from God. It's the country where our Temple used to be, where all miracles took place, where everything began, and the state is what makes us a people."
Being a Jew in Israel is: "Feeling that you belong. Feeling that you're accepted as a Jew. You may be respected abroad, but you'll always be different, even if you don't follow the way of Torah. There, people will never be there for you when you need them. When I wore a skullcap abroad, people thought I was strange and I was sometimes cursed. Here you can express who you are and what you are freely."
The most Israeli trait: "The power to fulfill any goal – no matter which ideology you believe in. You can see it in soldiers enlisting for combat service, because they believe in the need to fight for the State."
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"Many years of peace and love of fellow man inside the country. An ingathering of the exiles and tolerance even towards those with a different faith."
- Elad Zigler is a graduate of the World Bnei Akiva movement and has studied in Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem.
Felemovicius family: From Mexico City to Modiin
Participants: Judith (59) and Rami (60) Felemovicius
We're here because: "For many years we were Zionists abroad, so we decided that it was time to be Zionists in Israel. Our three children – World Bnei Akiva members – came to Israel for a year of training, and our two daughters decided to make aliyah before us. We wanted to be close to the children, and now we even have a grandson in Jerusalem."
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"There's no other country which takes in Jews from all over the world."
Do you view the State's establishment as a real miracle?
"Definitely. You just have to remember what went on in the 1940s to understand what a big miracle it is."
Does the State have a religious significance?
"A huge one! Not just because it's the Holy Land and because you can observe mitzvot related to the country, but also because of the special spiritual atmosphere."
What is the ideal State of Israel in your eyes?
"A place where all Jews are united despite their different opinions, which allows life in peace and tranquility."
Being a Jew in Israel is: "Always feeling at home. Abroad, even if you were born there and contributed to the country – you'll always be a foreigner."
The most Israeli trait: "Israeli chutzpa."
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"That it continues to be a modern state, absorbs and takes in many immigrants, and 'May the one who makes peace in the heavens, make peace for us. And for all Israel, and let us say, Amen.'"
Olga Bermant, 25: From Berlin to Tel Aviv
I'm here because: "I was raised in a Zionist home which instilled the love of Israel in me. Last year I had a wonderful opportunity to take part in the Israel Government Fellows Program at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. The program made me feel a strong connection to this country, and I decided to stay."
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"The feelings of foreignness and familiarity: I am always torn between the convenience and the tradition – the innovation of life in Israel."
Do you view the State's establishment as a real miracle?
"I believe that the State's establishment is a miracle, but I don't ascribe any religious meaning to it."
Does the State allow religious independence?
"It allows religious freedom for all faiths. But the interpretation of the Jewish tradition comes mainly from the haredi world, which unfortunately, often does not leave any room for discussion or differences."
What is the ideal State of Israel in your eyes?
"I would like to see Israel safer, and comprised of a wider variety of different and happy people. A place with a strong national identity."
Being a Jew in Israel is: "In Germany my Jewish identity was the connecting factor between life and Jewish tradition, as well as my desire and love for Israel. Now, when I live here, my Jewish identity is no longer the only factor uniting me and Israel with the rest of the Jewish world."
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"A peaceful and happy year which will bring end of the conflict. That we get to celebrate the next Independence Days."
- Olga Bermant is a graduate of the Israel Government Fellows Program at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center
Uriel Vintz, 21: From Uruguay to Israel
I'm here because: "I think this is the place where all Jews should live, and also because I have more options for studies and work here."
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"First of all, it's the only Jewish state in the world, and that's very important to me. Second, it's a beautiful place to live in, with an amazing cultural variety and many possibilities to make progress."
Do you view the State's establishment as a real miracle?
"No. I see it as a result of the effort of the Zionist movement to realize the Jewish people's dream – to be a free people in our land."
Does the State have a religious significance?
"In a number of aspects: On this land the Jewish culture and religion grew. I definitely feel closer to my Jewish identity just by being an Israeli citizen."
Does the State allow religious independence?
"I feel completely free to be as religious as I want. I'm not religious, but more traditional, and I don't feel the need to change that."
What is the ideal State of Israel in your eyes?
"It's hard to say. I love Israel just the way it is. The only thing which could be improved is the people's stress level, but I don't see it as a significant problem."
Being a Jew in Israel is: "Not feeling an obligation to hide my Jewish identity. I know I won't be judged for it. And feeling more in peace with myself by being here."
The most Israeli trait: "The human warmth and widespread national and communal awareness."
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"I hope Israel continues to flourish economically and technologically, and of course that we reach real peace once and for all."
- Uriel Vintz is a graduate of the Beitar movement's annual Hachshara program and a student at the Technion.
Gavin Beinart-Smollan: From Auckland to Jerusalem
I'm here because: "It's the only place where I can get everything I want to get."
Why is the Jewish state unique in your opinion?
"This is the only place where we can live a Jewish life – not just as individuals or communities, but as a nation. I spent my first Purim and Passover in Israel, and was constantly amazed by the fact that I didn’t just celebrate at home or at my synagogue, but on the city's streets, in shopping malls, in government offices, on television and on the radio. Even buses had banners reading, 'Have a happy and kosher holiday!'"
Does the State have a religious significance?
"The establishment of the State of Israel has a religious meaning. Our forefathers prayed three times a day for 2,000 years, and we can only imagine what it would mean to them to see a Jewish state in Israel."
Does the State allow religious independence?
"The religious authorities in Israel engage in a policy of coercion which is only getting worse. They don't understand that forcing people to observe Shabbat or get married in a certain way won't bring them closer to Judaism, but rather the opposite. We must build a society that gives everyone a sense of belonging – both religious and non-religious."
What is the ideal State of Israel in your eyes?
"Diverse, tolerant, modern and open, building the Jewish and communal identity in a lively manner. A country that will serve as an inspiration to the nations by presenting a model of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)."
The most Israeli trait: "Chutzpa!"
What would you like to wish the State of Israel?
"Another 63 years of success."
- Gavin Beinart-Smollan studies Hebrew in Ulpan Etzion, is a graduate of the World Bnei Akiva's Hachshara program and former head of Bnei Akiva in Auckland, New Zealand.
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