The 60 Bloggers project is co-production of Jewlicious.com and the Let My People Sing Festival. It is published daily for 60 days to celebrate Israel’s 60 birthday.
As an American Jew I honestly do not find myself thinking about Israel on a daily basis; some may, but I don’t. But living in Hamburg, Germany the past 3 months and the recent conclusion of Passover has made me think a little bit about the significance of Israel and the even greater importance of freedom.
Freedom has many different meanings and values to various people. Thankfully, living in the western world, in the 21st century “freedom” and “life” are words that hold the same connotation for our citizens. We have freedom of speech, equal rights, and protection from the government, legal systems, widespread access to education, food, shelter, and the other necessities of life. ( I recognize that not everyone has these various freedoms and luxuries but many/most people in the western world have at least some level of these.) Given all of this what does freedom really mean? Is it not the mark of the western world to take everything we have for granted and classify it under “living”, not “freedom”?
I believe that when you step back and look at the Jewish people there is no such thing as freedom or “living” without Israel. Freedom is the ability to be who you are no matter what. When you go to Israel for the first time, you realize Israel is the only place in the world where a Jew can have complete freedom and understanding. Even in religious or prominently Jewish communities in and outside of America, Jews are and will always be outsiders. Until you have the chance to take a trip or make aliyah, you may find it hard to understand what I am saying, but ask around, it is true. Religious or not, there is a way of Jewish life that differs from the secular world, and only in Israel can you live this life to the fullest. I would attempt to explain this concept more fully, however it is really something you need to experience from both sides — living or visiting Israel for an extended time as well as living outside of Israel in various communities around the world.
Living outside of Israel it is so easy to be jealous of the amazing country that so many of our family members live in and the true freedom they have achieved. We should all be thankful that Israel is around, a tiny little place that offers true freedom to all Jews for the past 60 years. I just hope that over the next 60 years Jews around the world (and all people) can experience this same freedom no matter where they are. With the happiness that comes from celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israel, it should not be forgotten that those living in Israel have been in a constant battle from the very beginning to keep this place, our place, a homeland for the Jewish people.
