There is nothing quite as meaningful, memorable and festive as being in Israel on Yom Ha'Atzmaout! All delegations from around the world meet for the International March of the Living. 12,000 strong, we are entertained with Israeli folk dancing, singing, shofar blowing... We dance and sing in the square sporting our delegation t-shirts, pins and hats. The kids start trading until we can no longer distinguish who is who - one people all celebrating Israel's birthday. The atmosphere is indescribable. Pure joy and pride fills the air. The March in Poland and the March in Israel are powerfully juxtaposed - from darkness to light. At the Kotel, music blares, horas big and small form, young Jewish adults sharing one experience and one purpose.
Then the most meaningful moment, for me at least. The Sefer Torah which was completed in Birkenau by Holocaust survivors- one survivor holding the hand of a sofer for each of the last 6 letter of the Torah, was brought to the Kotel and dedicated to the Kotel synagogue in a Hachnasat Torah ceremony. To me, this act encapsulates the significance of our journey from Poland to Israel, from unimaginable pain, suffering and death to incredible beauty, accomplishment, and spirituality. We have come home. We dance with the newly dedicated Torah with kavanah - intention and meaning. The kids disperse to spend time with their friends, to chat with other delegations, to put on tefillin at the Kotel one last time, to say a prayer or simply to appreciate the moment. I have never seen so many young people at the Kotel before, or so many colours, flags, languages, or so much simcha.
The Montreal delegation continues to the southern wall for the group bat mitzvah of 22 girls who have never before been bat mitzvahed. Among them our two female survivors, Ella and Rena. We gather on the steps leading to the southern wall which Rabbi Poupko tells us were the original steps leading to the entrance to the holy temple. These were the steps Jews climbed 3 times a year to enter Beit Hamikdash on Succot, Pessach and Shavuot. What an awesome sense of continuity. Rabbi Poupko talks about women in the Jewish family as the keepers of Jewish tradition, spirit and daily life. The young ladies and women stand before the group and one by one recite the blessing and read the Shema from the Torah which we bring from Montreal. We sing and throw candies after each one is completed. Ella and Rena are quite emotional and we too share in their special moment. Rabbi Poupko addresses us all. He recounts a midrash which tells us that every person is given 3 names: the first name is the one given to us by our family, the second is the one given to us by friends (the outside world), and the third is the name we call ourselves. This name is the most important. What we think of ourselves, how much our dreams and aspirations are in sync with ourselves. The rabbi urges us all to think hard about how we wish to think of ourselves as human beings and as Jews. We have all been given an incredible opportunity through this trip-what will we do with what we have seen, how we have felt, how we are changed in the weeks, months and years that come.
Next stop - the biggest part in all of Israel. The MOL International Yom HaAtzmaout concert at Latrune, the sight of one of Israel's most significant battles. We enter the park and walk through an enormous display of military tanks and vehicles. Next comes an elaborate buffet for 12,000 people followed by dessert. We dance to Israeli music with old friends, new friends and complete strangers. We head to the enormous outdoor amphitheater and sit on the cement steps in front of the elaborate stage. We try to keep our Montreal delegation together so that we can show our spirit to the world. The show begins and we are blown away - a real spectacle of music and dance. Everyone is on their feet. The best concert/show I have ever attended. The kids are so happy and having the time of their lives. Some of their comments on the bus following the evening are:
1. I was in the mosh pit the whole night and everyone was Jewish.
2. I can't believe how much I danced to Israeli music - I knew all the songs and the beat was incredible.
3. So many countries are here. Jews my age from all over the world.
4. So many people who share the same values.
5. Am Yisrael Chai!
6. Chag sameach has new meaning to me.
7. By far the best concert I've been to.
8. I feel like I belong to something so big and special.
9. This is the best country on earth.
10. I am so proud to be a Jew.
11. I don't want to go home tomorrow.
12. This was the best trip ever.
The kids have clearly fallen in live with Israel - that's the way it should be.
This is my last post. The last two weeks have been incredible - I have experienced profound lows and intense highs. I have experienced this journey with the next generation of the Montreal Jewish community. They made me feel proud and confident for the future of our community. There is much for me to reflect upon and process and I don't know how long that will take. I have told the kids that it may take a long time to be able to articulate your impressions, thoughts and feelings concerning the trip. In fact, I'm fairly certain that time is required. I have urged bus 1 to stay in touch since our shared experience is a unique one and we must all be available to support each other. I only hope that they know that I mean every word. I will be here for this kids as they navigate their social, educational, spiritual, religious and community lives.
Monica Mendel Bensoussan
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