We want to know WHY you care about Israel. This part of the site is designed for you, the reader, to share your story. It can be anything, from an experience you had visiting the Kotel to simply how great the hummus and shwarma are. The important thing is that they are your experiences. You will be “changing the brand” of Israel so we want to hear your voice! Why does Israel matter to you?
Learn more about Change the Brand by visiting the who we are tab or read about the staff and send us a question on the “Ask Us” page.
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I love israel
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I am currently on a gap year in Israel. I lived in Bat Yam, a suburb of Tel Aviv and now am in Jerusalem.
Just today, my roommate and I went grocery shopping. Our cart had broken and we had no way of comfortably getting our groceries back to our apartment, only about two blocks away.
A man in his car shouted out to us as we passed “efshar lachzor lechen?” (can I help you?)
My apartment mate and I were hesitant, but we accepted the help.
In the three minute car ride, we talked about where we are from, where we have been, and what we are doing. He was genuinely interested and so sweet.
Just that someone would offer their time to help us girls in need was so sweet. Rak b’Israel did we feel safe enough to accept the help.
Lior and I are now Facebook friends.
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Why is Israel important to me? After all, I’ve never been there, and I don’t intend to live there. Sure, I’d like to go there the first chance I get, but at this moment in time nothing typical gives me a special connection with the Promised Land.
So what is it about the small country sandwiched in the Middle East that holds a special place with me?
First of all, there’s the significance its existence provides. Yes, it’s a Jewish state, but Israel’s establishment completely changed the world- the 1940s were a big time for the world, but 1948 was when everything changed, and it’s all because of that small piece of land that everyone wants to kill each other over.
Israel established not only a safe haven for the Jews, but also the fact that Jews are going to persist and continue to survive.
Second of all, there’s what it means to the world technologically. Israel’s constant new innovations have helped enlighten the world for the better. There are inventions, companies, programs, that no one but Israel would think of.
Third of all, yes, the fact that Israel is a Jewish state is supposed to resonate with me, although it’s not just the religion- it’s what Israel means to Jews in general. As stated above, it’s a safe haven, it’s a habit for innovation, it’s a community. It shows that Jews can hold their own as a people and even thrive, as well as be accepting.
Fourth of all, current events. You wont be able to go a long time anywhere without hearing something about Israel. The fact remains- Israel is a huge point of contention, as are the constant conflicts it’s entangled in. Yes, most of the time this brings out the worst in people, but it helps show that Judaism, despite its size in comparison to the other religions, remains relevant. And there are Jews with connections to Israel everywhere- Jews as a people are scattered, yes, and we may not all live in Israel, but Jews bring pieces of Israel with them- everywhere Jews go, Israel goes as well.
And why is that? Because Israel is, at its core, an accumulation of the ideas and ideals of the Jewish people. While Israel will never be strictly according to the Torah, that may be for the best- Judaism is a religion that needs to modernize in order to adapt and survive, and Israel, one of the most advanced countries on Earth, is the perfect example of why. Strictly speaking, Israel would not be what it is today if the Jewish people followed the Torah word for word. In fact, this is even stressed in the stories of the prophets- things have changed, and the people need to be made aware. This extends to today.
So why is Israel important to me? Because it’s the logical extension of Judaism and what it should be.
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Last year, when my grandparents traveled to Israel for the first time, my grandmother got to experience something she never got to back home. She got a Bat Mitzvah at the age of 67 years old at the Western Wall.
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