Israel - a different perspective...

First, take a look at the following 6-minute interview...


http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1311023934&play=1


Second, answer me honestly, why aren't we as Diaspora Jews talking more about this side of Israel?


Today, I held my weekly class with our 8th grade students.  


[Side note - The course is a 45-minute/week class focusing during the first semester on the events that led to the creation of the State of Israel, the global circumstances which finally brought our Homeland to fruition, along with discussions on regional current events.  During the second semester we will be using our 8th grade Israel trip itinerary to study specific historical/biblical locations, texts, stories, and much more so as to prepare the students for their eventual Israel experience in the spring.]


So today I decided to show the students this "new" perspective of Israel.  This version of Israel rarely discussed or presented by the media.  Here's what a few of the students had to say:

• "I think people need to see Israel's side of the story."
• "Israel knows how to shine through in dark times."
• "I believe that this video showed an amazing perspective of Israel that not many people get to see or hear."
• "I found that Israel being so economically resilient was very interesting."
• "I am proud to be Jewish."
• "Children in Israel have a greater responsibility than children in the US."
• "I feel that Israel has had a very hard time ever since it became a state.  The amazing thing is that the Israelis have never stopped trying to fight back or represent their country.  Israel is very small but has a very large heart."

So I ask once again, why are we not working as the Diaspora Jewish community just as hard to present this image of Israel as anything else we do for our Homeland?  These are our brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, and even grandparents we are talking about.


In a "flat world" and a world which has become so "small" because of our society's technological advancements, this is the message which produces great pride and personal connectivity with Israel for the next generation. The metaphor of the small country surrounded by bullies trying to fight for its survival just doesn't speak to these children anymore.  This new message is the one that resonates with them.  Let's share it more often.


Shabbat shalom.