Israel, Israel, Israel!

We began our meeting with a program about standing up for Israel. Everyone has experienced a form of anti-Semitism at some point in their life, whether it was at our school or college campuses, or simply walking down the street. We learned from many anti-defamation activists about protecting and standing up for the country of our people. We had several lectures, watched a video, and learned the quick ways to stop anti-defamation in its tracks. In my opinion, this was the most important meeting we’ve had in Diller, because no matter how much work we do to better ourselves and our leadership abilities, what really counts is that we create a good name for Jews and especially for Israel. To be honest, although I am very proud to be Jewish and very proud to call Israel my home, when it is being verbally attacked, I don’t always have the best responses. Once, while visiting my sister at college, the pro-Palestine (really anti-Israel) group was protesting and shouting things at people walking by. My sister and several of her friends stopped to talk to some of the kids, and I had to sit in the back because I really didn’t know what to say. That is why I’m so thankful for this program. I doubt that I will ever have to sit in the back of a conversation about Israel feeling useless and helpless, but more importantly angry, because I couldn’t defend Israel when I wanted to. Additionally, I think that this program was meaningful to all of the fellows because we all have strong ties with 20+ Israelis and we will want to defend them if the time ever comes.

Thanks Dillers!! - Rachel

Following the stand up to Israel program, we had a workshop. We had an activity where we prepared a debate on what should be the national anthem for Israel is if we were in 1948. One group had Hatikvah, one had Yerushalayim Shel Zahav. and the other had Tehilim, psalm 136. It was very interesting to see how each of these could serve as the national anthem. Meital put on a nice “judges robe” and we began to have a mock debate. Each group fought valiantly to see their song as the new national anthem. Within the limited time we were given, each group picked out the facts that would make their argument most compelling. Groups debating on topics such as whether the anthem should be based on religion, the future, the past, or sheer hope. But in the end, Hatikvah won because it was made for Jews, by Jews. It embodied the hope and spirit that lies within Israel. It was really amazing to see how difficult it must have been to decide on a single song that will represent the land, the people and the culture of a nation. Following that, we met for lunch where Lindsey once again amazed us with her delicious chocolate chip cookies, and yes they were most definitely perfect. The birthday committee and the rest of Diller 6 also surprised Rayfo for her 18th birthday with an awesome picture frame that we hope she will treasure forever and take with her to college next year. The last thing we did was split into our groups to prepare for the ISS. We spent time going over details with all of the groups to make sure we were all on the same page and talking about our Skype chats with our Israeli counterparts. Israel, here we come in T-minus 56 days!

Moran Samuel, the 2012 Paralympics rowing winner, Moran Samuel, was receiving her gold medal, and waiting for her national anthem to be played, (Israel's national anthem - Hatikva,) as is customary tradition for gold medalists. Upon hearing the wrong song played, she blatantly told them this was not her national anthem and, feeling the need to properly represent her country, took the microphone and sang Hatikva herself. Clearly, it was important to her to sing the Hatikva because as much as the medal was for her, it was also for her country. 

We can only hope that we, too, have the same passion and nationality for both America, and Israel, as Moran demonstrates in this video.