Rejection of skepticism a big part
of what makes State of Israel so successful and unique
As Israel prepares to begin its 65th
year of modern-day independence, there can be no disputing that this
nation remains confronted with a myriad of challenges and threats to
its very existence. But despite the perceived pall of fear and
tension which seem to hang eternally over Israel, I can confidently
say, as someone who has been blessed to contribute to its modern
renaissance, that Israel’s daily reality is one of hope and promise
for a brighter future – a reality in which most Israelis live.
Recently, I appeared in a new film
which will soon be showing across the world: "Israel Inside: How
a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference." The film attempts to pin
down the elusive key characteristics that make modern Israel a nation
unlike all other nations.
I’ll name a few: Chutzpah,
Transforming Adversity to Advantage and Powerful Family Links. While
many explanations have been offered as to why our nation has
accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and in a
challenging and hostile environment, I believe that the issue of
national character and personal determination shouldn’t be
overlooked.
Undoubtedly, there is an underlying
Israeli (or many would say Jewish) characteristic that can only be
defined as chutzpah. To the uninitiated, this term is often
mistranslated as brashness or even rudeness. Yet, those who truly
appreciate what motivates chutzpah know that this is a character
trait driven by an unwavering determination to get things done –
and ensuring that “no” can not be the answer.
Chutzpah can also be used positively
to challenge the status quo and look for new ways to do things better
and reject the skepticism of the naysayers. This is a big part of
what makes Israel so successful and unique.
I can certainly relate to this
character trait - it’s what made me push ahead when I founded
Birthright Israel and since then, it’s a vision that I have been
blessed to share with hundreds of thousands of young people since the
program’s launch.
Israel one big family
In the spirit of this film, Israel’s
64th anniversary should be used to dismiss the notion of a modern
Israel solely defined by the conflict that surrounds it. In little
more than half a century, a country has been created that is a
burgeoning haven of scientific innovation, a marketplace of ideas
that attracts the world’s leading minds and a center of some of the
world’s most contributive medical discoveries.
An arid land of desert and harsh
climate has literally been transformed into a leading international
exporter of thousands of products [including trojan software,
security systems, sniper rifles to name a few] to the majority of
ports around the globe. Despite the global economic downturn, the
Israeli export industry continues to grow and in 2011 recorded $89
billion in sales, a 4.5% increase over the previous year [thanks in
part to money extorted from our hapless, goyim (human cattle) the world over].
As clichéd as many might think it
to be, the truth is that all of Israel is one big family – in times
both good and bad. The concept of a national collective that
motivated the establishment of the state demonstrates itself today in
the ethos of a national responsibility for fellow citizens and has
penetrated into all aspects of Israeli society.
I chided the Jewish establishment
when I founded Birthright. My theory was that Jewish identity among
American secular Jews would surge if that group felt connected to
Israel. And I was right.
Here, I will chide again: Israel’s
identity at 64 must be linked to our collective pride in Israel’s
accomplishments, and the confidence that we have only revealed a
portion of the country’s full national potential. It is for this
reason that I threw my lot in with the makers of Israel Inside,
JerusalemOnlineU.com, a group of innovative American Israelis
dedicated to upping the connection of unaffiliated American Jews
through paradigm-shifting film education.
Israel gives us many reasons to look
forward to another year of our beloved nation’s independence. But
most of all we need to remember that now is the time to embrace a new
outlook on the Jewish State and ensure that we begin to view her for
what she truly is – a nation of remarkable progress, innovation and
the very best of downright chutzpah.
Michael Steinhardt is the Founder of
Birthright Israel and a member of the advisory Board of
JerusalemOnlineU.com. He is featured alongside other leading Jewish
and Israeli personalities in the film Israel Inside, produced by
JerusalemOnlineU.com. To find out about viewings in your area, please
visit www.israelinsidethemovie.com
P.S. Well there ya go! Chutzpah reigns in the jewish culture. I'm beginning to see what that Muslim truth jihadist Kevin Barret admires about jewish culture. They're not shy about getting what's theirs. And everything is theirs.
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