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Friday's 10 Minutes of Torah is designed to present a diversity of editorial viewpoints from Jewish papers. The following editorial is from the Wednesday May 7, 2008 issue of Washington Jewish Week and is reprinted with permission
Let's accentuate the positive
As we mark Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's independence celebration, today, we could focus on a country still sadly at war, one that is unfairly treated and whose very existence is questioned, a nation with internal strife, huge gaps between religious and secular streams, a brain drain, far too many children in poverty and an educational system in great need of improvement.
Instead, though, we'll keep in mind the lyrics of an old song and "accentuate the positive /Eliminate the negative / Latch on to the affirmative É "
With so many legitimate worries about threats to Israel, it's easy -- especially for those (and there are far too many) who have never had the privilege of visiting the Jewish state -- to forget that Israel is a real place, where people go to school, work, cook, clean, shop, go to the movies, theater and concerts, read books, watch television, get stuck in traffic jams, talk politics, worry about health care, complain about politicians and so on. In other words, they live lives very similar to ours.
At the same time, modern-day Israel is a miracle. What the Jewish state has achieved in 60 years -- despite wars and terrorism -- is truly astounding. This tiny nation has brought people, speaking a plethora of languages, together from all corners of Europe, from Middle East and Northern African nations, from North and South America and elsewhere to create a nation of remarkable achievement. Those of you who had a chance last week to look through our "Israel at 60" supplement may have read the articles touting, "Israel's greatest success is its people" and "Sixty years of successes."
Those successes have been greatest in technology, medicine and agriculture, where a phenomenal number of innovations have come out of Israel's world-class universities and start-up businesses.
We take, for example, much of our computer and cell phone technology for granted these days, forgetting -- or perhaps not even realizing -- that much of it was developed in Israel. And, the next time you pop a sweet cherry tomato in your mouth, you can thank Israeli agricultural researchers for developing that variety.
So, happy birthday, Israel; may these first 60 years be just the beginning of the modern stage of your 3,000-plus-year history.
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Adult Study Retreat 2008
Registration is now open for the Summer Adult Study Retreat (formerly known as Kallah) July 8-13, 2008, Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH. The theme will be Israel at 60. http://urj.org/educate/adultstudy/summer/
EIE Adult Institute
Thinking of celebrating Israel's vibrant history,then you should explore Israel as part of the EIE Adult Institute, July 20-August 3. Travel through time and explore our rich history. Registration is open, http://urj.org/educate/adultstudy/eieadult/
Take your study of 10 Minutes of Torah to the next level by signing up for Eilu V'Eilu . Each month, two scholars will debate an issue and answer questions raised by you, the learner. Additional textual information will be available through the Eilu V'Eilu webpage.
For more information and to sign up, go to the Eilu V'Eilu webpage.
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