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Seventy years ago today, the modern state of Israel was born. This anniversary has occasioned all manner of emotion: celebration, joy, anger, vindication, gratitude.
With this anniversary also comes the fraught political moment commemorated today in Jerusalem, with the Trump administration's controversial decision to move the American embassy to the still-contested city.
I've certainly contributed my share of analysis and anguish — calling for a new relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, criticizing the way in which President Trump is remaking Middle Eastern politics.
But our tradition tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven. Enough with the handwringing for a moment! This is the time to recognize one of Israel's truly awesome achievements: the revival of the Hebrew language.
Hebrew never died, of course, and lived far beyond its specifically religious context in poetry and scholarship. But it is still remarkable to hear an ancient language embrace a modern vernacular, and dramatically expand its vocabulary to meet contemporary needs.
I learned a beautiful formulation of Hebrew's unique role last Shabbat, at a special teaching at my synagogue in memory of Alan Mintz, a professor of Hebrew literature at the Jewish Theological Seminary who died suddenly and shockingly just a year ago. Anne Hoffman, an English professor at Fordham University and a close friend of Mintz's, led us through excerpts of a number of his works, including his reflections on modern Hebrew literature as a resource in Jewish life:
"Because Hebrew literature had become both the repository of classical Judaism and the record of a reawakened people's adventure in modernity, Hebrew was thought to possess the internal resources to negotiate the distance between old and new."
Hebrew enabled "new meanings and old meanings [to] exist simultaneously," he wrote.
To negotiate the distance between old and new. What a brilliant concept! To exist simultaneously in then and now, bridging the two, giving meaning to them both.
That is, at its best, what the state of Israel has done for the Jewish people.
What if all of us in the Diaspora pledged to learn Hebrew by the time Israel celebrates her 75th birthday? We might be able to actually communicate better with each other and with our tradition. Now that would be a fine birthday present.
What I've been reading. The New York Times columnist David Leonhardt confessed today that he is not quoting enough women in his work, and publicly vowed to do better. Doing so, he wrote, "is not merely a matter of fairness. It broadens my worldview and improves my journalism."
Back in 2012, I wrote of the same problem in Jewish public life, where too many of the public discussions, events and programs hosted by the Jewish community have few or no women participating. I would have thought that in the intervening six years — especially with the #MeToo awakening — that the situation would improve, but it's astonishing to me how many times a conversation about our lives is conducted with only half the population present.
My friend Shifra Bronznick several years ago asked men to pledge that they would not convene or participate in all-male panels. All thanks to those who have done so, but many men clearly have not. As has been said in another, related context: Time's up.
The holiday of milk and honey. In my mind, Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai that begins Saturday evening, is associated with three things: Late night learning. Outdoor picnics. And the big blintze.
Here's a suggestion for learning: Peruse the latest conversation from our partner Sh'ma, which looks at the ways legacy challenges us — especially timely in light of a holiday whose essence centers on passing on Torah from generation to generation.
Here's a suggestion for eating: Make the big blintze. Years ago, I shared the recipe, with Forward readers for a dish that has become legendary in our family. This year I plan to make it again with my little grandson. Paying it forward.
And my suggestion for outdoor picnics? Pray for good weather!
Click here for all our Shavuot coverage.
Looking forward. It's a busy week. By the time you receive this newsletter today, I will have spoken on a panel at the New Voices conference, for Jewish student journalists. Wednesday I'll be interviewing the great Jewish historian Jonathan Sarna at the Center for Jewish History. Thursday I'll be attending a gathering organized by the American Press Institute in Virginia.
But really, it's all about the British royal wedding, right? Later this week, look for a marvelous story by our Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt about what these nuptials have meant to Jewish readers in Queen Elizabeth's day and our own. And do read and share my recollection of covering the last time a second son got royally hitched — when Prince Andrew wed Sarah Ferguson in 1986. I was there. In my hat.
Remember to email me at JaneEisnerEIC@forward.com. with your questions and concerns.
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