Yom Haatzmaut: They Tried to Kill Us, We Survived, Let’s Eat

There is an old joke about Jewish history:

“They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” 

Today is Israel Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut).

Today is both a day to celebrate and a day to remember. We celebrate because we have returned to the land of our ancestors. We can physically follow and pray in the footsteps of past generations who have long since shuffled off this mortal coil.

But we also remember those who gave their lives and those who continue to give their lives for Israel. I think most, if not all of us are aware that Israel lives in a neighborhood in which relations with their neighbors is tenuous at best.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Israel twice so far in my life. I can only describe both experiences as life altering. I hope to be able, at some point in the future, go for a third time.

May those who gave their lives for Israel’s security and freedom forever a blessing and may we continue to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut for many years to come.

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How Soon is Too Soon to Re-Open?

Human beings are not meant to be anti-social, nor are we meant to be locked in our homes nearly 24/7.

But Covid-19 has forced both upon us.

As this disease continues to ravage our country and our world, the question that many are asking is when can we re-open. I wish the answer was simple, but we all know that it is not.

In California, the beaches were full over the weekend, despite warnings from the CDC and government officials.

I get it, I truly do. If it was still February (where the weather in my neck of the woods is generally wet and cold), staying home would be easy. But with summer and warm weather on the horizon, the call of the beaches, the pools and outside activities maybe too much to ignore.

The problem is that if we go back to a pre-Covid-19 normal, the handle that we finally have on this disease may at best, reduce drastically or at worst, disappear altogether. Cases will skyrocket, our hospitals will continue to be overwhelmed and the number of dead will be straight out of our nightmares.

I hate to say it, but we must resist the urge to re-open too soon. If we do, I am afraid that the consequences and the lives lost will be too many to count.