Sunday, April 4, 2010

48 Days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZDSBF5xtoo

Above, you are linked to a video with English subtitles filmed on May 14, 1948. David Ben-Gurion, the Einstein-looking fellow speaking with the dramatic voice, is declaring the Independent State of Israel, a homeland for the Jewish people for the first time in two thousand years.

Think about that for a second. Two thousand years. Empires have risen and collapsed between the exile of the Jews from their land by the Romans and the establishment of the Jewish State. Three continents have been discovered during those two millienia (with Jews now living in all of them). The piece of land called "Israel" changed hands from Rome to the Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Crusaders, Ottomans, British and a few other prominent empires, all of them today of faded relevance or diminished significance.

America was born in 1776. This great country is almost 234 years old. Eight American histories could have occurred between the exile of the Jews from their land in 70 AD and their return in 1948. The soil of Israel, though dry, is very, very deep, and Jewish roots drink from the very bottom of that soil. After watching the YouTube video, you may be struck by a need to listen to Hatikvah, which played in that room with the conclusion of Ben Gurion's speech (performed by the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra, soon to be renamed Israel Philharmonic Orchestra). Well, then here's another link for you - feel free to sing along!

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In honor of the 62nd anniversary of the State of Israel, we're trying to find 62 shofar blowers to proceed up Fifth Avenue and announce the beginning of the Parade! If you blow the shofar and are interested in participating in this momentous moment, please email us at: parade@salutetoisrael.com or call 646-467-8030 ext. 488. Thanks!

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