Am Yisrael Chai
When I was growing up my parents didn't want me or any of my siblings to live far away from home. My sister never really left Brooklyn, my bother, who could have gone to any medical school he wanted to, had to stay in the city. I moved a 5 minute walk away from them and lived there for close to 20 years.When my brother moved to Manhattan, after he got married, it was a big deal.
Today, I took my youngest child to the induction center at Tel Hashomer to draft into the Israeli Army. I think back at how my parents were, and wonder what I was thinking. It is true that I live in Israel now. I am also very happy my daughter decided to join us here, but the Army??
Growing up in our house we had a very clear understanding of what war is. One day I will write about it, but suffice to say I get it. Growing up in Brooklyn New York, the last thing you are thinking about is the possibility of war ( this was pre-Trump), joining an army, serving your nation. Today I drove my daughter to enlist.
I am not worried about her safety. She will not be in a combat position. She will be as safe as everyone else is here.
People born in Israel have the knowledge and understanding that when their children reach the age of 18 they will be signing up for 2-3 years. Many have been in the army themselves. The kids also know this will happen and many look forward to it. I have not had this preparation. No one in my immediate family ( other than a nephew through marriage which doesn't count) has gone in. 8 months ago this wasn't part of my reality at all. Then my daughter went to a midrasha on a kibbutz. She saw the pioneering spirit and sacrifice of the people there. Material items did not matter as much anymore, settling the land did. Being a part of the Jewish future did. Making a difference did.
She wanted in.
She was supposed to start NYU in September, live in the village and chill out. This became less important as time went on. She talks about her friends who have just started college but she is impressed with the ones in the Army and the cool things they are doing. At the age of 19 she has a real understanding of where her place is, the Jewish state. She wants to a full participant. Something I will never be able to do.
I know I am rambling, too much free-flow of ideas. I will get to the point.
Today my daughter, the granddaughter of survivors of ghettos and death camps will be putting on the uniform of the Jewish State. That is all I was thinking about for the last 7 months and that is all I am thinking about now. I have never been prouder of anything in my whole life.
I thought I would be more emotional when she went on the bus, taking her I don't know where but most likely the kitchen to make breakfast because we came to early, but I wasn't. It wasn't bad at all. It was like when we dropped her off for the camp bus. I did see some grown men crying ( tough looking ones) but I didn't. I was a bit numb.
After the drop-off I went to have breakfast with my oldest daughter. I told her that I wondered what my father would have said to this. Would he have been proud or would he have yelled at me for letting her go. My daughter said, he would have yelled at you. Then he would have been proud.
Am Yisrael Chai