Israel is special. Its story speaks to and tugs not just on the hearts and minds of Jews, but to all who believe in and treasure the power of the redemptive human spirit. It’s a story of life over death, of hope over despair, a truly positive and optimistic message to those who dare to reach out and grasp the dream turned into reality.
I will recall forever our happiest moments there as a family when we were confronted by the dynamic of Israel, joining with all the people as children of G-d, being proud Jews and participating in its achievements. It’s far from fantasy - taking a barren land and making it bloom. It’s all very real, as it rejuvenated faith and took a shattered people and nation and helped them live, nurtured their entrepreneurial spirits, and gave them a home and a future. Such a special place, that as Kennedy once said, Israel was not created to disappear - it is the child of hope.
Yesterday we remembered 23,646 selfless heroes.
Soldiers and military personnel who fell in the line of duty to keep Israel free. We must never forget this.
We shower blessings of comfort on all the families who have lost loved ones, while remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We must never forget our debt to them.