November 29: A Day to Remember

November 29, 1947 is a day all Jews should remember.  

Exactly 65 years ago today, the United Nations voted to partition Palestine and create the modern Jewish state of Israel.  While Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day is celebrated in the spring, on the 5th of Iyar (this year on April 15-16, 2013), it is this day in November that helped pave the way for Israeli independence.

Toldot Yisrael is a Jerusalem based nonprofit dedicated to recording and sharing the firsthand testimonies of the men and women who helped found the State of Israel. One of their most powerful videos “The Story of a Vote,” shares the powerful memories of just some of those individuals involved in making this vote happen.

Please take 10 minutes to watch – its worth it!

Do you know someone who was around on November 29, 1947?  If so, take a moment today to ask them what they remember of that day. How did it impact them?  What were they doing? How did they mark this momentous moment in Jewish history?

Today, again the UN is voting on an issue related to Israel’s existence. Today they vote on upgrading the Palestinians to observer state status in the United Nations.

As I write this, today’s UN vote has not yet taken place.  There are those who believe that this vote is dangerous for Israel, and there are those who think that it is a necessary step toward peace between Israel and Palestine.  You can read Several interpretations of this day and this vote in today’s The Times of Israel.

Regardless of one’s position, this is a day that will impact Israel’s future and our path toward peace in the region. It is a day that we should all remember.

Od yavo shalom aleinu, v’al kulam, aleinu v’al kol ha’olam. Saalam.

Again peace will come upon us, and on everyone, on us and on all the world. 

Shalom.

Saalam.

Peace.