with Rabbi Doug Kahn
Why Do Jewish People Have Such a Deep Connection to Israel?
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| The Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. |
In this column, various Bay Area experts will respond to your questions about family life and relationships between people of different faiths. If you have a question for our experts, please email us at bridges@sfjcf.org.
Editors note: Israel celebrates 60 years of independence in May. There are commemorative events taking place in JCCs and congregations throughout the Bay Area (some are listed in the Bridges calendar). Visit www.IsraelintheBay.org for more information.
Israel runs through our prayers, our holidays, our traditions, and our sense of peoplehood. It has been the spiritual center of Jewish life for 4,000 years and is central to many holidays. For example, Passover commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt to Israel and Shavuot, the receipt of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Sukkot recalls the booth-like structures which sheltered the Jews when they wandered in the desert, and Chanukah the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
In spite of continuing threats from enemies, Israel has become a thriving, diverse society. Most Jews believe that a strong state of Israel is essential to Jewish survival, and at the same time seek a state that lives in security and peace with its neighbors. Likewise, the vast majority of Israelis continue to seek a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Rabbi Doug Kahn is executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community. For information about JCRC, visit www.jcrc.org.
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