Make sure you celebrate
AS Jews, we enjoy our celebrations and festivals and the planning and traditions that are associated with them. A week before Pesach, if I were to survey a random group of AJN readers about their seder plans, a large majority would be able to tell me where they would be spending this principal night on our calendar.
Similarly, a week before Rosh Hashanah, I’m guessing the bulk of Australian Jews who affiliate in any small way, could tell me which, if any, shul they would be attending and where they would be enjoying a yom tov meal.
But if I were to ask the question a week before Yom Ha’atzmaut, I don’t think many would be able to tell me how they would be planning to mark Israel’s Independence Day. Many won’t know exactly when it is; some may have memories of celebrating it in previous years.
There are the lucky students of our wonderful schools who will have a fabulous day of activities and programming, and the UJEB and BJE students and members of a few shuls who will also have a blue and white birthday celebration for Israel in one form or another.
And there are the committed community members who enjoy the great variety of Zionism Victoria, Zionist Council of NSW and other state Zionist council events – and that’s all terrific. However, for most Australian Jews, the fifth of Iyar, the Hebrew date when our modern state was officially born, comes and goes like any other day.
It’s easy to rationalise. Because it’s relatively new on the Jewish history timeline, there have not been special traditions handed down through many generations or secret family recipes associated with Yom Ha’atzmaut – there’s not even the fear of a good old-fashioned guilt trip from Bubba if you don’t turn up.
Conversely, it seems a little ludicrous that we unfailingly celebrate those events which formed us as a people over 3000 years ago, yet ignore the recent “miracles and wonders” which enabled the birth of our national homeland, and the pride and security that come with her existence. I know that as recently as when my father was a boy, a Jewish country and a safe haven from anti-Semitism were only a dream.
Yet I can’t imagine life without Israel. Every morning, the first thing I do is check the Jerusalem Post news site, and every night, the last thing I do before going to bed is think a prayer for the safety of our soldiers and for peace for all Am Israel.
I can’t imagine an existence where I can’t sip a coffee in the old streets of Jerusalem, enjoy the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv, hike the trails in the north and marvel at the desert blooming in the south.
I can’t envisage a time where I couldn’t laugh at TV shows in Hebrew or delight in Israeli culinary dishes.
It’s inconceivable to think of a world without Israeli innovation and medical advances. It’s sad to think of a life without the wonderful melting pot of Jews from every corner of the Earth converging in the land that has been the focus of thousands of years of dreams and prayers – all beeping horns, sipping grapefruit juice, eating hummus and developing start-ups.
Why aren’t more Australian Jews committed to celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut? It is a true miracle that after 2000 years of exile and persecution, we can now enjoy self-determination in our indigenous homeland.
So, again I raise the question: Why aren’t more Australian Jews committed to celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut? Israel is not a perfect country, but most people aren’t perfect, and we still celebrate their birthdays.
Maybe the left-wingers worry that if they’re seen waving their flags too enthusiastically, it could be interpreted as agreement with Benjamin Netanyahu’s politics.
Maybe the frummies worry that if they sing Hatikvah too loudly, people will think they accept the non-halachic aspects of the State.
Maybe the right-wingers fret that if they gobble their falafel too happily, others will think they have resigned to bowing to international pressure for a two-state solution.
But Yom Ha’atzmaut is a day for unity. It is a day to transcend politics and religious differences; a day to celebrate the positives and focus on achievements and successes; a day to salute heroes and share commonalities; a day to take stock of the importance of our sovereign state and to stand proud as a nation.
On the fifth of Iyar, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israelis tell meaningful stories, sing nostalgic songs, have barbecues with their friends, and drive with flags waving in the breeze. It’s time for each of us to unite with Israel and join the celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut each year.
Whether you bake blue and white cupcakes for dessert; make a conscious effort to buy Israeli products; host a small party for friends; dance a few horas; listen to Israeli music all weekend; order falafel for dinner; drape an Israeli flag from your window; or attend one of Zionism Victoria’s or the Zionist Council of NSW’s communal celebrations, don’t let Yom Ha’atzmaut go unmarked in your life. Start a tradition and make it an annual experience with family and friends.
Be mindful of the centrality of Israel in our lives. No good comes from taking people or places for granted. Whatever your belief system, whatever your politics, whatever your sexual preference, whatever your mother tongue, whatever your charoset recipe, whatever footy, rugby or soccer team you follow – if you are a Jew, Israel is your home and Yom Ha’atzmaut is your day.
Chag sameach to us all.
Don’t miss out
Zionism Victoria offers several opportunities to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut: Blue & White Night – Erev Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration, Wednesday, May 11, 7.30-10.30pm, Beth Weizmann Community Centre; Israel’s Birthday Bash Young Adult Party, Wednesday, May 11, 9pm-1am, Jacksons, Trak Centre; Yom Ha’atzmaut Family Festival, Thursday, May 12, 4-7.30pm, Beth Weizmann Community Centre; Israel Shabbat, May 13-14 at participating synagogues throughout Melbourne. For more information visit www.zionismvictoria.org.au or call (03) 9272 5544.
The Zionist Council of NSW’s Yom Ha’atzmaut 2016 community concert and carnival will take place on Sunday, May 8 from 4-7pm at Moriah College. For more information, phone (02) 9360 6300 or email admin@zionistcouncil.com.au.
Atida Lipshatz, writing on behalf of Zionism Victoria, is vice-president of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria.
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