It?s been a painful few days and it promises to get worse. I?m all out of Extra-Strength Tylenol. Although, I?m sure that nothing short of general anesthesia would do the trick. But then again, sooner or later, I?d have to wake up.
Some say it?s the birth pangs before Moshiach and others claim it?s the death rattle of secular Zionism. Whatever is going down here, we as Jews are not relieved of our responsibility to act. That means putting to use whatever talents and skills we?ve been blessed with and doing our best to correct the situation.
So, as those spirited hilltop youth (bless them) take on the Israeli army and police, the passive optimists continue to hang out and wait for Moshiach to put in an appearance, while the idle cynics are anticipating the demise of Zionism. Meanwhile, this artist is going to frantically work with an imaginary lump of clay and transform it into Israel?s first Golem.
I?m starting with the heart. In fact, all raw metaphysical material used in the formation of this imaginary character must be derived from individuals who have their hearts in the right place... Uzi Landau, you?ve always been honest and consistent. What you lack in charisma, you more than make-up for in humility. You?ll form the traditional Jewish and Zionist core of the Golem. Thanks for being there, Uzi -otherwise I would have very little to work with. Now, let?s move on to the head...
Bibi, in spite of what so many say about you, I still believe you have what it takes to be a leader. You?re intelligent and skilled. But it?s your commanding presence and the deeply ingrained sense of world history and the history of your people etched in your heart that impresses me the most. Besides, you can talk circles around President Bush or any other world leader.
Avigdor Lieberman, Hollywood would cast you as the kingpin of the Russian mafia. However, looks can be deceiving and I figure you to be a clever, thoughtful and sincere man, who is bold enough to admit that democracy is not the panacea for all of Israel?s problems, nor the cure-all for the current case of world chaos.
Natan Sharansky, you took on the KGB and won. I doubt the demands of the ?Quartet? can force you to sing. The Golem needs your faith, courage and compassion.
Effie Eitam, legend has it that you roared in the face of an onslaught of Syrian tanks. Time to wake-up the sleeping lion.
Benny Elon, you carry the mantle of Rechavam Zeevi and possess a healthy fear of G-d - an essential ingredient in making the Golem of Israel operational.
Unfortunately, I don?t have the glue to stick you guys together, nor do I possess the power to breathe life into you. I guess you?ll have to do that yourselves. In the meantime, the rest of us will continue to protest and pray.
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Ellen lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter, writer and founder of helpingisrael.com. She can be contacted through her website http://www.artfromzion.com.
Some say it?s the birth pangs before Moshiach and others claim it?s the death rattle of secular Zionism. Whatever is going down here, we as Jews are not relieved of our responsibility to act. That means putting to use whatever talents and skills we?ve been blessed with and doing our best to correct the situation.
So, as those spirited hilltop youth (bless them) take on the Israeli army and police, the passive optimists continue to hang out and wait for Moshiach to put in an appearance, while the idle cynics are anticipating the demise of Zionism. Meanwhile, this artist is going to frantically work with an imaginary lump of clay and transform it into Israel?s first Golem.
I?m starting with the heart. In fact, all raw metaphysical material used in the formation of this imaginary character must be derived from individuals who have their hearts in the right place... Uzi Landau, you?ve always been honest and consistent. What you lack in charisma, you more than make-up for in humility. You?ll form the traditional Jewish and Zionist core of the Golem. Thanks for being there, Uzi -otherwise I would have very little to work with. Now, let?s move on to the head...
Bibi, in spite of what so many say about you, I still believe you have what it takes to be a leader. You?re intelligent and skilled. But it?s your commanding presence and the deeply ingrained sense of world history and the history of your people etched in your heart that impresses me the most. Besides, you can talk circles around President Bush or any other world leader.
Avigdor Lieberman, Hollywood would cast you as the kingpin of the Russian mafia. However, looks can be deceiving and I figure you to be a clever, thoughtful and sincere man, who is bold enough to admit that democracy is not the panacea for all of Israel?s problems, nor the cure-all for the current case of world chaos.
Natan Sharansky, you took on the KGB and won. I doubt the demands of the ?Quartet? can force you to sing. The Golem needs your faith, courage and compassion.
Effie Eitam, legend has it that you roared in the face of an onslaught of Syrian tanks. Time to wake-up the sleeping lion.
Benny Elon, you carry the mantle of Rechavam Zeevi and possess a healthy fear of G-d - an essential ingredient in making the Golem of Israel operational.
Unfortunately, I don?t have the glue to stick you guys together, nor do I possess the power to breathe life into you. I guess you?ll have to do that yourselves. In the meantime, the rest of us will continue to protest and pray.
--------------------------------------------------------
Ellen lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter, writer and founder of helpingisrael.com. She can be contacted through her website http://www.artfromzion.com.