From Tragedy to Celebration, We Honor the State of Israel
Just as each of us goes through a process of self-examination during the Days of Repentence in Tishrei, this week is an opportunity to do so on a collective and national level.
Israel
10 Historical Events that Culminated in Jewish Statehood
The modern state of Israel came into existence in 1948, but the forces that led to Jewish sovereignty after nearly 2,000 years of exile were set in motion 70 years earlier.
5 Ways to Observe Yom HaZikaron Outside Israel
Though most of us in North America don’t have the same connection to those who have died in service to Israel, we can still observe Israeli Memorial Day as we mourn from afar.
“Zionist Peat”: If You Love Israel, Compost!
In the 1950s, Israel’s still-young government decided to drain the beautiful but malarial and ecologically sensitive Huleh Valley. Experts and environmental activists protested, noting that once dried out, the soil (mostly peat thanks to the abundant wetlands) would not be very fertile, and the whole project may require reversal.
What Does "Next Year in Jerusalem" Really Mean?
Editor's Note: This piece was originally published on March 17, 2013.
On a recent trip to Jerusalem, my son decided that his favorite color was gold. Whenever he’s asked why, he replies with a wry smile befitting a 5-year-old.
“Jerusalem is the city of