110504 Hopes & Dreams of the Mighty Fallen Live

Yom Hashoah & Yom Hazikaron

Israelis believe you can’t fully appreciate Yom Hatzmaut, Independence Day, until citizens of the State recall the price for their independence. Therefore, Yom Haatzmaut is the day immediately following Yom Hazikaron.

All too often, a moral voice deep inside haunts us: “Why?! Was it all worth it? All the dying, suffering! What was it for?” all the questions we are taught we have no right to ask especially if one is a person of faith in Hashem.

These were the questions parading through my mind as I walked along the Tyelet, the Southern Promenade, taking in the view overlooking the Old City walls, the Temple Mount. I observed all the massive growth of united Jerusalem and along with this sight was the realization of the prosperity of the Jews in order to bring about the renewal of Israel. Vibrant Jewish communities were brought to life from all those martyrs, all the men and women who died to preserve our freedom! What was it all for? The answer: From the ashes of the Shoah was the rebirth of a Jewish homeland!!! The bones and the sinews have come together, and Hashem has breathed life into His People as He promised!
My path led me to a young man sitting on the hillside of the Tyelet concentrating deeply as he was meticulously drawing the scene below with pen and ink. He didn’t miss a roof, house, stone wall or tree as line after line was connected together until the village below was patiently illustrated in black and white. I was so impressed with his art that I stopped to observe as he continued on with his masterpiece. Interfering with his focus, I just had to talk to him a few minutes – it’s permitted since I am a woman! I did not want to miss the privilege to meet another of Israel’s finest of this generation. 

The handsome young man – and girls! we are talking HANDSOME! – kindly introduced himself.

Idan is presently attending one of the best of the best art schools in Jerusalem, Betzalel. He is in hot pursuit of a career in topography and illustration which will take a few more years of study since this is his first year. In the meantime, he has a job at the Little Italy Restaurant in the German Colony, a hotspot for the young college and career ‘yuppies’. But Idan assured me that the mature, wise, experienced folks (like me) in their Golden years are also welcome.

I always taunt young Israelis around the age of Idan if he/she has served in the IDF, because you always get a readily indignant reply such as his: “YES!!! OF COURSE! I’M ISRAELI! EVERYONE MY AGE HAS SERVED IN THE MILITARY RIGHT AFTER THEY GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL!” And a stare like “Woman! What world are you from?”

What was it all for? From the ashes of the Shoah came forth the ingathering of the Jewish tribes of Israel from the four corners of the earth. They are still returning home, and bringing forth a determined generation of young people, such as Idan, in pursuit of a future within their own Land never to be dispersed again. We can only pray for our youth’s every success in all their initiatives for a good and prosperous life.

I walked away from another of Israel’s finest, chuckling to myself: “YEP, Hashem! I need to learn NOT to ask stupid questions! Especially when it’s very clear that the human mind cannot comprehend the things of G-d because it’s definite Your ways are not our ways, and only You can create something good out of such evil and bring forth life from the grave.”

The souls of our precious martyrs and the Mighty Fallen live on in every generation. Their hopes, visions and faith are magnified throughout the Land. And their deaths sanctified the Name of Hashem who continues to breathe life into the nation of Am Israel!

SWASHBUCKLING PIRATES IN JERUSALEM

Ahoy Mateys! This humorous musical produces a fun and relaxing atmosphere for family, friends and children. The costumes were creative and colorful, and the music was very professional. I went with a young lass, my friend Chaya, for an afternoon performance of the Pirates of Penzance at the Hirsch Theatre in Jerusalem. Of course, we allowed her mom, Rene, to go along for the ride since she was holding the doubloons.

In the beginning of the performance, the main character, Frederic, along with his Pirate mateys, are celebrating with "Yo Ho Ho" what they believe to be his 21st birthday. Due to his nursemaid being hard of hearing, she had misunderstood his father's desire for him to become an 'apprentice pilot' and instead turned him over to a band of buccaneers of the high seas when he was a wee lad to serve as an 'apprentice pirate' until his 21st birthday.
But a dilemma unfolds when it is brought to everyone's attention that Frederic was born on February 29 which only comes every four years on leap year – Aye! Aye! Mateys, that 'ere's the truth! So when they calculate the years versus the birthdays, he may be 21 years old, but he has only had five birthdays! – Oy vey!
Although, the gentlemen of fortune were considered 'scallywags' within society, this particular band of Pirates was totally unsuccessful as bandits of the seas, and considered total failures with no booty 'n plunder, and known only for their merciful kindness to their victims. They claimed they were lilly-livered cowards with no stomach for criminal activity since they were nothing but innocent orphans cast upon the sea of misfortune.
The dilemma broadens when Frederic meets a refined young lass on the beach. The fortunate meeting eventually introduces him to the landlubbers of high society until it is discovered there is a 'pirate among them'!
Life for the town turns topsy-turvy as the rumor-mill churns! 'Pirates among us! They're coming to steal your doubloons!' Oy vey!
The town constable and his tribe shudder at the mere mention of "PIRATE"! Assuming the worst conduct imaginable is thrown at the community's doorstep – coming to steal everyone's pieces o' eight - it is their responsibility to rid the town of the scallywags and send them to fiddlers green! But HOW?
They begin to ponder a strategy, when an elderly military General, who acclaims fame, not by military feats but by wealth, comes to the rescue with his numerous unwed lasses who have become enamored with the tenderhearted simpletons.
The concluded strategy is a wedding, Aye! Pieces o' eight! Is a purty good booty for each lass!

Aye! Aye! with a hearty Yo, Ho, Ho!, a little Jewish flavor was added to the performance in Israel. A rabbi shows up hoisting a wedding chuppa, instead of ol' Jolly Roger! Each callah grabs a shy chatan and passes through receiving the blessing of the rabbi.

Aye! Aye! Mateys! the buccaneers have plundered the General's household, but it’s the lasses who take home the booty!
In the end, Queen Victoria appears to pardon each of them.
My thanks to Chaya and her mom, Rene, for my wonderful birthday present 2009!