Written the day Gush Katif fell, August 18, 2005.
I'm proud of you -
Teenagers who stood tirelessly in the hot summer sun at tables to distribute orange "anti-disengagement" clothing and information on Gush Katif, and those who walked endlessly on the roads distributing orange ribbons to passersby.
I am especially proud of you -
Teenagers who distributed the orange ribbons and the blue "pro-disengagement" ribbons alongside each other. You maintained mutual respect even though you were philosophically worlds apart. I was watching as you both approached the same car and asked, "Blue or Orange?" The driver was moved, too, and answered, "I'll take one of each just because it's so beautiful to see Jews working together even though they don't agree." In the merit of that unity alone, I was convinced there would be no expulsion.
I'm proud of you -
Rabbis who spoke out against the destruction of Jewish life in Gush Katif. You were not afraid of corrupt leaders or immoral orders. You were not afraid to go to jail for speaking the truth. You only feared G-d and you stood strong while those around you remained silent.
I'm proud of you -
Nadia Matar and Moshe Feiglin. Without your clarity of thought and constant leadership, where would we be? You even moved, along with many others, to Gush Katif, demonstrating with your actions that you live by what you believe.
I'm proud of you -
Who opened your homes in Kfar Maimon and Sderot to the endless stream of strangers who descended upon your communities in the name of true peace and love of Eretz Yisrael. I am awed at the boundless generosity you demonstrated by welcoming the protesters into your homes to use your bathrooms, your showers and your kitchens.
I'm especially proud of you -
Who stayed behind to clean the houses after all the masses had left. You represent the true meaning of a mensch.
I'm proud of you -
Effie Eitam, Rabbi Benny Elon and Natan Sharansky for leaving your government seats. You stood up against corruption when all the others remained. You demonstrated what it means to be a man when there are no men, and what it means to be a leader when there are no leaders.
I'm proud of you -
The leaders of the Druze community who publicly stated that the soldiers from your community would not participate in the immoral act of removing Jews from the land of Israel. May you be blessed with just rewards.
I'm proud of you -
Who are "too old" and who are "not so healthy", and who were unable to join the public protests. Instead, you volunteered to baby-sit any children who needed watching so the parents would be free to protest, and also guaranteed that children would have a safe home to stay in if, G-d forbid, their parents got arrested for civil disobedience.
I'm proud of you -
Peninah Ashkenazi, 16, Chaya Belogorodsky, 14, and Moriah Goldberg, 13, who sat in jail for 40 days following your participation in public protests against the expulsion of Jews from Gaza and northern Samaria. You remained true to G-d, His Torah, Eretz Yisrael, the Jewish people, your parents and yourselves. It took Moshe Rabbeinu 40 days to receive the Torah from G-d. In the merit of your 40 days in jail, may we be brought closer to living a truly Torah life in Eretz Yisrael.
I'm proud of you -
Our idealistic youth, who spent the summer standing strong and courageously against those who have no values and have no morals. When other parents are worrying that their teenagers are wasting their time and money on frivolous and dangerous activities for the body and soul, we knew our youth were spending their spare time praying and working to stop the deportation of Jews from their homeland. You perhaps grew up faster than we would have wanted, but you have earned the honorable title Bat Yisrael and Ben Yisrael, for you proved to the world what it means to be a Jew.
I'm proud of you -
Old lady who lay down in the street to block traffic and was carried away by the police as you shouted in your Russian accent, "Jews don't expel Jews!" You must have been a refusenik. You knew, clearly, "Sharon's democracy" is nothing but Bolshevik rule in the country in which you chose to live. You had more guts than most of us and I will never forget you.
I'm proud of you -
Avi Bieber, the first soldier to shout in the line of duty, "Jews don't expel Jews!" Being first is always the hardest, and you led the way for the rest of the soldiers who were human enough to refuse to listen to immoral orders. Knowing you would be sent to jail for making the right, moral decision must have been very hard and confusing; yet, you did it anyway. When your children and grandchildren ask what you did during the destruction of Gush Katif, you will be able to answer with truth that you stood up for Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael.
I'm proud of you -
Who fearlessly traveled through the dark, through the hills and mountains to sneak into Gush Katif in order to join your Jewish brethren in their struggle to save a part of Eretz Yisrael, its synagogues, Jewish homes and livelihoods. And, to the soldiers who stealthily guided the trekkers on the right path in order to reach their destination, you gave us hope that there would be mass refusals to fulfill evil orders.
I'm proud of you -
Who joined the 250,000 Jews in prayer at the Kotel. You came from every age group, dress code, and community in Eretz Yisrael and the world. Some of you were not even Jewish. You came in unity to cry out to the One and Only G-d that He should protect His children in the land of Israel. Additionally, I was so moved seeing you join one of the endless minyanim that gathered at Jaffa Gate, proud to show those who want to destroy us that we have nothing to fear as long as we believe in the One above.
I'm proud of you -
Little girl and boy I saw hanging signs and orange ribbons against the expulsion on the fence near the Knesset. You couldn't have been more than nine and six years old, but you worked tirelessly and patiently in the hot sun for a long time. Even as young children, you knew right from wrong and did what you could to help your fellow Jew. Those signs still stand, days after the communities of Gush Katif are no more. We see them and we remember.
I'm proud of you -
The Cohen family, who sat at their kitchen table with their children, three of whom lost limbs in a terrorist attack and, as the army stormed through your home, you calmly offered them something to eat and drink, because you know how Jews are supposed to behave with fellow Jews.
I'm proud of you -
Hundreds of Jews whom we saw on TV and on our computer screens. You who sat, arms linked with your Jewish brethren, in the synagogue of Kfar Darom as Israeli troops and police entered to drag you out. I was amazed at your fortitude as you sat protecting the Torah scroll and speaking, begging, pleading with the troops not to do this evil deed. I'm so proud of you for demonstrating to the world your continued faith in HaShem and His Torah, your purity and goodness and particularly the greatness of our Jewish youth.
And you boys and girls who sat in separate places and in separate shuls during the destruction of your communities. I don't know if the world can ever appreciate the holiness in that act alone, but G-d surely does.
I'm proud of you -
The sweet, blonde 4-year-old boy with the orange knitted head covering who was carried out of the synagogue in Kfar Darom by soldiers and police, the very people whom your parents probably taught you were there to protect you. As I was crying bitter tears over the state of our nation, I saw the confusion in your eyes. But you stayed proud and strong and stoic. May you always be.
I'm proud of you -
Who, having just been expelled from your home without a single possession, danced and sang with your fellow Jews. You were dumped in front of a hotel and told that you will be staying there for ten days, and you carry on even though your fate is unknown. I am awestruck that you were able to withhold your anger towards the hotel clerk who asked for your credit card, "just in case you ring up extra expenses."
I'm proud of you -
Who immediately thought to greet the refugees at the hotels with song, food, drinks, toys and books, and who organized gift packages and toiletries for the refugees who arrived without even a toothbrush. And you who organized communities to "adopt a hotel" and bring Shabbat food, drinks, cakes and flowers to the refugees; your forethought is amazing. Those who showed up in Nitzanim to help unpack strangers, hang their pictures and put up their closets - your goodness is praiseworthy. I am so touched by all those volunteers who went to the hotels to offer their services - massages, haircuts, babysitting, entertainment, just to bring a moment or two of relaxation and joy to those who don't know what tomorrow will bring.
I'm proud of you -
Who have cried non-stop for days, who walk the streets of Jerusalem red-eyed and puffy, who broke down again and again on public busses, as strangers stared, wondering what could possibly cause such harsh tears. I'm proud of you because you still believe in HaShem, His Torah and the ultimate good that must come out of this unbelievable situation.
I'm proud of you -
Who woke up today, put on your tefillin or covered your hair or continued to dress modestly, and prayed again to HaShem with a perfect, simple faith, believing that He must know what He is doing, He must still be running the world and all will work out for the best in the end.
I'm so proud of you -
Citizens of Gush Katif who held on until the bitter end with a perfect faith in G-d. You continued planting your crops, which fed people internationally, refused to pack and refused to leave your homes, because you knew that your personal sacrifices were protecting Eretz Yisrael and people the world over. Your love of your fellow Jew and Eretz Yisrael, your strength, your courage is boundless.
Perhaps, most importantly, I am proud to say that there is still reason to say, "I'm proud to be a Jew."
I'm proud of you -
Teenagers who stood tirelessly in the hot summer sun at tables to distribute orange "anti-disengagement" clothing and information on Gush Katif, and those who walked endlessly on the roads distributing orange ribbons to passersby.
I am especially proud of you -
Teenagers who distributed the orange ribbons and the blue "pro-disengagement" ribbons alongside each other. You maintained mutual respect even though you were philosophically worlds apart. I was watching as you both approached the same car and asked, "Blue or Orange?" The driver was moved, too, and answered, "I'll take one of each just because it's so beautiful to see Jews working together even though they don't agree." In the merit of that unity alone, I was convinced there would be no expulsion.
I'm proud of you -
Rabbis who spoke out against the destruction of Jewish life in Gush Katif. You were not afraid of corrupt leaders or immoral orders. You were not afraid to go to jail for speaking the truth. You only feared G-d and you stood strong while those around you remained silent.
I'm proud of you -
Nadia Matar and Moshe Feiglin. Without your clarity of thought and constant leadership, where would we be? You even moved, along with many others, to Gush Katif, demonstrating with your actions that you live by what you believe.
I'm proud of you -
Who opened your homes in Kfar Maimon and Sderot to the endless stream of strangers who descended upon your communities in the name of true peace and love of Eretz Yisrael. I am awed at the boundless generosity you demonstrated by welcoming the protesters into your homes to use your bathrooms, your showers and your kitchens.
I'm especially proud of you -
Who stayed behind to clean the houses after all the masses had left. You represent the true meaning of a mensch.
I'm proud of you -
Effie Eitam, Rabbi Benny Elon and Natan Sharansky for leaving your government seats. You stood up against corruption when all the others remained. You demonstrated what it means to be a man when there are no men, and what it means to be a leader when there are no leaders.
I'm proud of you -
The leaders of the Druze community who publicly stated that the soldiers from your community would not participate in the immoral act of removing Jews from the land of Israel. May you be blessed with just rewards.
I'm proud of you -
Who are "too old" and who are "not so healthy", and who were unable to join the public protests. Instead, you volunteered to baby-sit any children who needed watching so the parents would be free to protest, and also guaranteed that children would have a safe home to stay in if, G-d forbid, their parents got arrested for civil disobedience.
I'm proud of you -
Peninah Ashkenazi, 16, Chaya Belogorodsky, 14, and Moriah Goldberg, 13, who sat in jail for 40 days following your participation in public protests against the expulsion of Jews from Gaza and northern Samaria. You remained true to G-d, His Torah, Eretz Yisrael, the Jewish people, your parents and yourselves. It took Moshe Rabbeinu 40 days to receive the Torah from G-d. In the merit of your 40 days in jail, may we be brought closer to living a truly Torah life in Eretz Yisrael.
I'm proud of you -
Our idealistic youth, who spent the summer standing strong and courageously against those who have no values and have no morals. When other parents are worrying that their teenagers are wasting their time and money on frivolous and dangerous activities for the body and soul, we knew our youth were spending their spare time praying and working to stop the deportation of Jews from their homeland. You perhaps grew up faster than we would have wanted, but you have earned the honorable title Bat Yisrael and Ben Yisrael, for you proved to the world what it means to be a Jew.
I'm proud of you -
Old lady who lay down in the street to block traffic and was carried away by the police as you shouted in your Russian accent, "Jews don't expel Jews!" You must have been a refusenik. You knew, clearly, "Sharon's democracy" is nothing but Bolshevik rule in the country in which you chose to live. You had more guts than most of us and I will never forget you.
I'm proud of you -
Avi Bieber, the first soldier to shout in the line of duty, "Jews don't expel Jews!" Being first is always the hardest, and you led the way for the rest of the soldiers who were human enough to refuse to listen to immoral orders. Knowing you would be sent to jail for making the right, moral decision must have been very hard and confusing; yet, you did it anyway. When your children and grandchildren ask what you did during the destruction of Gush Katif, you will be able to answer with truth that you stood up for Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael.
I'm proud of you -
Who fearlessly traveled through the dark, through the hills and mountains to sneak into Gush Katif in order to join your Jewish brethren in their struggle to save a part of Eretz Yisrael, its synagogues, Jewish homes and livelihoods. And, to the soldiers who stealthily guided the trekkers on the right path in order to reach their destination, you gave us hope that there would be mass refusals to fulfill evil orders.
I'm proud of you -
Who joined the 250,000 Jews in prayer at the Kotel. You came from every age group, dress code, and community in Eretz Yisrael and the world. Some of you were not even Jewish. You came in unity to cry out to the One and Only G-d that He should protect His children in the land of Israel. Additionally, I was so moved seeing you join one of the endless minyanim that gathered at Jaffa Gate, proud to show those who want to destroy us that we have nothing to fear as long as we believe in the One above.
I'm proud of you -
Little girl and boy I saw hanging signs and orange ribbons against the expulsion on the fence near the Knesset. You couldn't have been more than nine and six years old, but you worked tirelessly and patiently in the hot sun for a long time. Even as young children, you knew right from wrong and did what you could to help your fellow Jew. Those signs still stand, days after the communities of Gush Katif are no more. We see them and we remember.
I'm proud of you -
The Cohen family, who sat at their kitchen table with their children, three of whom lost limbs in a terrorist attack and, as the army stormed through your home, you calmly offered them something to eat and drink, because you know how Jews are supposed to behave with fellow Jews.
I'm proud of you -
Hundreds of Jews whom we saw on TV and on our computer screens. You who sat, arms linked with your Jewish brethren, in the synagogue of Kfar Darom as Israeli troops and police entered to drag you out. I was amazed at your fortitude as you sat protecting the Torah scroll and speaking, begging, pleading with the troops not to do this evil deed. I'm so proud of you for demonstrating to the world your continued faith in HaShem and His Torah, your purity and goodness and particularly the greatness of our Jewish youth.
And you boys and girls who sat in separate places and in separate shuls during the destruction of your communities. I don't know if the world can ever appreciate the holiness in that act alone, but G-d surely does.
I'm proud of you -
The sweet, blonde 4-year-old boy with the orange knitted head covering who was carried out of the synagogue in Kfar Darom by soldiers and police, the very people whom your parents probably taught you were there to protect you. As I was crying bitter tears over the state of our nation, I saw the confusion in your eyes. But you stayed proud and strong and stoic. May you always be.
I'm proud of you -
Who, having just been expelled from your home without a single possession, danced and sang with your fellow Jews. You were dumped in front of a hotel and told that you will be staying there for ten days, and you carry on even though your fate is unknown. I am awestruck that you were able to withhold your anger towards the hotel clerk who asked for your credit card, "just in case you ring up extra expenses."
I'm proud of you -
Who immediately thought to greet the refugees at the hotels with song, food, drinks, toys and books, and who organized gift packages and toiletries for the refugees who arrived without even a toothbrush. And you who organized communities to "adopt a hotel" and bring Shabbat food, drinks, cakes and flowers to the refugees; your forethought is amazing. Those who showed up in Nitzanim to help unpack strangers, hang their pictures and put up their closets - your goodness is praiseworthy. I am so touched by all those volunteers who went to the hotels to offer their services - massages, haircuts, babysitting, entertainment, just to bring a moment or two of relaxation and joy to those who don't know what tomorrow will bring.
I'm proud of you -
Who have cried non-stop for days, who walk the streets of Jerusalem red-eyed and puffy, who broke down again and again on public busses, as strangers stared, wondering what could possibly cause such harsh tears. I'm proud of you because you still believe in HaShem, His Torah and the ultimate good that must come out of this unbelievable situation.
I'm proud of you -
Who woke up today, put on your tefillin or covered your hair or continued to dress modestly, and prayed again to HaShem with a perfect, simple faith, believing that He must know what He is doing, He must still be running the world and all will work out for the best in the end.
I'm so proud of you -
Citizens of Gush Katif who held on until the bitter end with a perfect faith in G-d. You continued planting your crops, which fed people internationally, refused to pack and refused to leave your homes, because you knew that your personal sacrifices were protecting Eretz Yisrael and people the world over. Your love of your fellow Jew and Eretz Yisrael, your strength, your courage is boundless.
Perhaps, most importantly, I am proud to say that there is still reason to say, "I'm proud to be a Jew."