In March I attended the annual AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) meeting in Washington D.C. We were 7,500 strong with 1,400 young adult representatives. "As America's leading pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC works with both Democratic and Republican political leaders to enact public policy that strengthens the vital U.S.-Israel relationship. With the support of its members nationwide, AIPAC has worked with Congress and the Executive Branch on numerous critical initiatives - from securing vital foreign aid for Israel to passing legislation aimed at stopping Iran's illicit nuclear program.

Speakers included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kadima party chair Tzipi Livni and other important Israeli figures. From the U.S. were Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and numerous important senators and congress people. The speeches and solidarity culminated with a day on Capitol Hill where we lobbied Congress especially to implement the Iran sanctions act (sanctions for non-compliance with the IAEA, U.N mandates, and numerous resolutions calling for Iran to halt its nuclear program).

It was an amazing show of support, solidarity and exercise of our inalienable rights as Americans.

Of all the magnificent speeches given over that weekend, the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu really struck me and stayed with me. They were words for contemplation not only during this convention but were carried over by me, and I’m sure many others, to the Pesach Seder, Holocaust Memorial Day—Yom Hashoah, and Yom Haatzmaut—Israel Independence Day, and as we march forward in time. I would like to share them with you to contemplate, and wonder at the changes that have taken place in only 100 years and our People’s part in this ever changing world in which we live.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the world faces monumental challenges, I know that Israel and America will face them together. We stand together because we are fired by the same ideals and inspired by the same dream. The dream of achieving security, prosperity and peace. This dream seemed impossible to many Jews a century ago.

This month, my father celebrated his one-hundredth birthday. When he was born, the Czars ruled Russia, the British Empire spanned the globe and the Ottomans ruled the Middle East. During his lifetime, all of these empires collapsed, other powers rose and fell, and the Jewish destiny swung from despair to a new hope, the rebirth of the Jewish state. For the first time in two thousand years, a sovereign Jewish people could defend themselves against attack.

Before that, we were subjected to unremitting savagery: the bloodletting of the Middle Ages, the expulsion of the Jews from England, Spain and Portugal, the wholesale slaughter of the Jews of the Ukraine, the pogroms in Russia, culminating in the greatest evil of all, the Holocaust. The founding of Israel did not stop the attacks against the Jews. It merely gave the Jews the power to defend themselves against those attacks.”

The story of our People and Israel continues and you can help to write the next chapter. May the next hundred years see a prosperous and secure Israel, at peace with its neighbors, living within secure borders, but always ready to defend itself and our People. With your continued support of Israel, with your visits, monetary investments, raising your voices in Washington, and a continued Ahavat Tzion—love of Zion—we will ensure that the age old conviction will remain true: Am Yisrael Chai—Israel lives, and it will live forever.

Please remember to support the JUF South Suburban Walk with Israel, Sunday, May, 2nd. See the bulletin for further information. Let’s make a difference, not only as individuals, but as a caring, concerned, committed, and loving community.

Rabbi Paul Caplan

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