Images of Israel – An Embedded Dream

In comparison to what Malka is used to, the people here are rude. Some are scary. And of course, there is always that constant danger looming at Israel’s borders. Malka’s images of Israel are not too complimentary.

Malka’s question begs an answer. It’s a good question. In a day when people worldwide are talking about boycotting Israel’s products, freezing Israel’s building, and generally using any reason to criticize Israel, I cannot blame Malka for not seeing what I see – images of the real Israel – glimpses of a 3300 year old dream. We have always said, “Next year in Israel.” Now that we are here, maybe we have the responsibility to our ancestors, to live the dream that they couldn’t.

Jerusalem Day is coming soon. Today I happened to see some “Life Magazine” photos of Israel in 1948. There are pictures of people escaping the Arab Legion. There are pictures of Jewish refuges both from Jerusalem and frome Europe.

It’s an amazing story! We are part of it. WE – who feel a deep connection to the struggles of our own people. We cannot expect others to feel the same connection. It hasn’t been stamped in.

There are more photos of Israel in 1948. There is the destruction of Jerusalem when it was surrendered; how it burned; how the Arabs looted and destroyed homes where Jews had left. The Arabs came and conquered, but they never really had a connection to this land like we have.

Last night Malka told me that she is starting to like this place. She took a walk around some remote parts of Sderot, where it is even quieter than where we live. And she said, “I feel like I’ve been here before.” Could Malka be awakening to a sense of coming home? Is Israel finally starting to grow on her like it did me several years ago? Maybe she is beginning to feel she is just aa much a part if this “image of Israel” as I am.

Keep a smile on your face and a dance in your feet.