History demonstrates that the events of the Holocaust served as an impetus for the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.  For this reason, Israel’s civil calendar first acknowledges Yom HaShoah, which commemorates those whose lives were lost during the

“Did you know?” asked my husband’s Israeli granddaughter, at 16 indignant and adamant. “Reform Jews don’t believe the State of Israel should even exist!”

“Nonsense!” I responded, not a little indignant myself. “How can you say such a thing?!”

“I learned it

Next week, we mark Yom HaZikaron: Israel's Day of Remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

This week's double Torah portion (Parashat Tazria-Metzora) is bizarrely obsessed with all different kinds of bodily fluids.

A remarkable new survey was released just before President Obama’s visit to Israel. According to the poll, Americans heavily favor the Israelis over the Palestinians, 64 percent vs. 12 percent.

In the 20^th century, three new holy days were inserted to the Jewish calendar based on the massively significant events of the Shoah and the Establishment of the State of Israel: Yom HaShoah v’Hagveurah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzmaut. 

While in rabbinical school, I was in Jerusalem for Yom HaZikaron. I had the opportunity to experience multiple ceremonies and services that marked the day, and each one changed my relationship with Israel in ways I certainly did not expect.

“And how does one stand in a Memorial Ceremony? Erect or bent, rigid like a tent or limp as in mourning, head humbled like the guilty or raised in defiance against death, eyes wild or frozen like the eyes of the dead, or shut, to view the stars within?”  -