Shira and Amichai Ish-ran are a beautiful young couple. Twenty-one years old, they got married this year. Looking at them, most people would see radiant youth, loving eyes and warm smiles. How many would realize that these are people made from steel? On the last day of Chanukah, Amichai and Shira, 7 months pregnant were … More Meet the Maccabees: My Nation forever, Israel
There seems to be a lot of confusion about Hanukah – to the point where it appears to be deliberate. Let’s begin with what it’s not about. 1. It’s not a Jewish Christmas In many circles, Hanukah seems to have become an imitation Christmas – a holiday of food, lights, decorations, and gifts. This is … More From the Maccabees to the IDF: 6 things you need to know about Hanukah
My American Hanukah’s were tainted by Christmas. Without even realizing it, the way my family celebrated Hanukah was a reflection, not of our Jewish holiday or it’s true meaning but rather of the holiday that our Christian friends and neighbors were celebrating. The homes of our Christian friends were covered in Christmas decorations. Our home … More My diaspora Hanukah vs my Israeli Hanukah
Hanukah is not a holiday of the Jewish religion, it is a holiday of the Jewish people. Although not really considered a religious holiday, it is a holiday of miracles. We’re complicated that way. The Hanukah miracle most people focus on is that of the oil that lasted eight days when it should only have … More A small Hanukah tradition, a lot of Jewish defiance.
Throughout our history there have been times when it’s been illegal to be Jewish, when our land has been occupied by foreign powers who tried to force us to bow to their gods and make us forget about ours. We’ve been scattered, enslaved, accused of every evil in the world, tortured and slaughtered. There … More UN resolutions and Hanukah: legacy, promise and opportunity
Last night we began the Hanukah celebration. Hanukah commemorates one instance out of many throughout Jewish history where, against overwhelming odds, the Jewish people survived and triumphed. This is our miracle. Again and again, against all odds, all logic and despite the silence of the “good” majority – the Jewish nation survives. Modern times are … More A Great Miracle Happened HERE
Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story 