At 4 P.M. on the fifth of Iyar 5708 corresponding to May 14, 1948, Zionist leader David Ben-Gurion, surrounded by members of the Provisional Council of State on the ground floor of the Tel Aviv Art Museum, issued a proclamation to the world:
We, members of the people's council, representatives of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael and of the Zionist movement . . . by virtue of our natural and historic right and on the strength of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael, to be known as the State of Israel.
This year we celebrate, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day beginning at sundown May 11th. In the midst of this year’s celebration many are concerned with the recent tension between the governments of the USA and Israel. In our election year there is a feeling of unknown that is already amplified by political challenges that have torn apart Israel’s neighbors and created an unprecedented amount of instability in the region.
The miracle of Israel is something we celebrate with a sense of awe, wonder and astonishment. In the midst of all this turmoil Israel represents hope, not only for the Jewish people, but for all humanity.
The Declaration of Independence of Israel granted freedom, justice, and peace to everyone, guaranteed freedom of religion, and safeguarded the holy places of all faiths also extended a hand "to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness." It appealed to them "to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel was prepared, the Declaration continued, "to do its share in common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East."
Two thousand years of waiting to be restored to our homeland—two thousand years of longing, wandering, and suffering— came to an end. And sixty-eight years later we still celebrate the miracle, even as the vision is yet to be fully realized.
In June I will be traveling to Israel with over 40 young people, a full Birthright trip. Our travelers are primarily Santa Clarita students and include many who, only in the last few years, celebrated B’nai Mitzvah at Temple Beth Ami.
Celebrate with us at a special Shabbat Service focusing on Israel featuring Cantor Kenny Ellis, Friday, May 13th at 8 pm.
Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live
We, members of the people's council, representatives of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael and of the Zionist movement . . . by virtue of our natural and historic right and on the strength of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael, to be known as the State of Israel.
This year we celebrate, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day beginning at sundown May 11th. In the midst of this year’s celebration many are concerned with the recent tension between the governments of the USA and Israel. In our election year there is a feeling of unknown that is already amplified by political challenges that have torn apart Israel’s neighbors and created an unprecedented amount of instability in the region.
The miracle of Israel is something we celebrate with a sense of awe, wonder and astonishment. In the midst of all this turmoil Israel represents hope, not only for the Jewish people, but for all humanity.
The Declaration of Independence of Israel granted freedom, justice, and peace to everyone, guaranteed freedom of religion, and safeguarded the holy places of all faiths also extended a hand "to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness." It appealed to them "to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel was prepared, the Declaration continued, "to do its share in common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East."
Two thousand years of waiting to be restored to our homeland—two thousand years of longing, wandering, and suffering— came to an end. And sixty-eight years later we still celebrate the miracle, even as the vision is yet to be fully realized.
In June I will be traveling to Israel with over 40 young people, a full Birthright trip. Our travelers are primarily Santa Clarita students and include many who, only in the last few years, celebrated B’nai Mitzvah at Temple Beth Ami.
Celebrate with us at a special Shabbat Service focusing on Israel featuring Cantor Kenny Ellis, Friday, May 13th at 8 pm.
Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live
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