Dear Friends,
The last year has been a difficult one for all of us and yet, in spite of all the changes in our daily lives, we continue to mark the special occasions that mean so much to all of us. With this in mind, I want to share my greetings with you as we prepare to celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of Independence of the State of Israel –Yom Ha’atzmaut.
In comparison to so many other countries, at 73, Israel is a rather young country. Yet, the desire for a Jewish homeland has existed for millennium. The desire persisted throughout the hardships of our ancestors who were slaves in Egypt and, even after being freed, as they wandered the desert for 40 years. This desire grew even stronger out of the ashes of the Holocaust as those who survived the atrocities needed a place to call home. All our challenges never extinguished this dream. This Hatikva (hope) drove the Jewish people for thousands of years to return to their homeland.
Now we celebrate 73 years of the realization of our quest. We celebrate the dream of independence, democracy and freedom. We celebrate a strong, vibrant and secure Jewish homeland. We celebrate our advancements in medical research, high technology, and water and energy sustainability. We celebrate our cultural achievements in dance, theater, art, film and television series. We celebrate our foreign policies and continuous expansion of friends throughout the world -- especially in the Middle East.
While I am proud of my country and all it has accomplished over the past 73 years, I know that the community here in the United States has taken this long journey with us -- from a dry dessert to a blossoming oasis. I know it may sound cliché, but it is true. This miracle we call Israel would not be possible without your support. We are truly one family, respecting our ancestors, honoring our parents and searching for the best future for our children. Like many families, we may disagree at times, but in the end, we all are proud of our Jewish heritage and value our homeland.
We are also proud of the support and friendship we share with members of other faiths and communities. As we seek to fulfill our Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, -- repairing the world or, more generally, helping those in need -- we are grateful to all our friends, and know that they share our journey and help us succeed.
As it says Psalm 133, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity,” may we continue to be unified by our common values and beliefs, for this anniversary and for all of Israel’s future.
Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach! Happy Birthday Israel and a happy holiday to you all!
Sincerely,
Israel Nitzan
Acting Consul General
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 9:30AM - 10:30AM EST, the Consulate General of Israel in New York will be holding an special program marking Israel’s Memorial Day/Yom HaZikaron 2021.
The program, moderated by Rabbi Joshua Davidson, Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, will present three bereaved families who will share the stories of those they mourn.
Please join us as we hear from:
- Nitza Shamah and Anat Yahalom, sister and cousin of Yigal Erez z"l. Yigal fell in the course of his duty, while training, in 1973. He was twenty-four years old when he fell. He left behind a mother and a sister.
- Eli Haliva, son of Moshe Haliva z"l. Moshe fell in action during the Yom-Kippur War. Moshe fought in the Golan Heights and was killed by a shell that penetrated his trench. He was thirty-three years old when he fell. He left behind his wife, four sons, a daughter, a mother and a brother.
- Michael Solomonov, brother of David Solomonov z"l. David fell in action near the Israel-Lebanon border, in 2003. He was killed by Sniper fire when he volunteered to replace another soldier who wanted to pray. He was twenty-one years old when he fell. He left behind his parents, a brother and a sister.
For more info and registration please click on image above or use this link: https://t.co/ESBgFwMrxi?amp=1
Additionaly, please join us as we welcome in Israel’s Independence Day/Yom HaAtzmaut with a special celebration presented by the Consulate General of Israel in New York in conjunction with the Embassy of Israel in the US and the other Israeli Consulates around the country. On Wednesday, April 14 at 8:00pm EDT, H.E. Gilad Erdan, Ambassador of Israel to the United States and to the United Nations, and the Embassy of Israel to the United States will present a virtual celebration of Israel’s 73rd Anniversary with special guests, musical performances, and a showcase of Israel’s achievements from across the United States.
The event will premiere live on the Embassy of Israel's Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages. To register and receive updates, please click here.
Finally, on the occasion of the State of Israel’s 73rd Independence Day, the Consulate General of Israel in New York invites you to a short virtual reception on April 15, 2021 that will be avialable for viewing between 6:00-9:00 PM EST. This event will showcase Israeli culture, innovation and cuisine, and will include a special tribute by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Please join us by clicking https://israelindependenceday.com/home-new-york/ on April 15th between these hours.
We hope you will join us in our memorial and celebrations of 73 years since the founding of the State of Israel.
Israel Nitzan
Acting Consul General
Consulate General of Israel New York
800 Second Avenue
New York City, N.Y. 10017
Office: 212-499-5454
Twitter: @IsraelNitzan