In any case, there have been a few other times that I have wanted to write over the past few weeks and for whatever reason (ok, because of homework) I have not had a chance.
Last Sunday I attended a rally in support of Israel that was held in front of the LA Federation building. In the days leading up to the rally, I had been thinking a lot about Israel. I felt constantly glued to NPR, as I felt that was the most neutral of the news sources available to me. I made the website for the daily Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz my homepage, so that even if I didn't have time to read, I would at least be confronted with the most up to date headlines whenever I clicked onto internet explorer. As the days passed and the situation/crisis/war (whatever you want to call it) in Israel and Lebanon continued to strengthen, I realized more and more that the media, even the outlets that I expected to be a bit more neutral were only talking about the effects on the Lebanese citizens. What about the Israelis? The citizens of the north who are sitting in shelters, or who are going to work and about their lives i the north - praying that the next rocket won't be in their path - because they must continue to live their lives. Its not that I do not feel for the Lebanese, but I do want to see fair coverage for the Israelis as well. There was story after story about the American students studying in Beirut that were evacuated, what about the ulpan students at Haifa whose program was also cancelled?
Back to the rally. I have never been to a similar event - and it is a testament to the great community that I am training to serve in the future. The Jewish Federation of LA has a great photo gallery of the estimated 10,000 people in attendance at the Rally. I must say that I cried a lot throughout the rally - of course, no one noticed considering the oppressing heat that LA had been facing until today. My friend Clifford here is featured in the gallery as well. I love that Cliffy!
For the first time I can remember singing the Start Spangled Banner (is that really the name of the natoinal anthem, it suddenly struck me how odd that is) was something that I was feeling. That I could connect with my American identity at a time where I was so outwardly showing what I consider to be more central - my Jewish and Zionist identities - was absurd. Not absurd in a weird or bad way, but in an unknown and odd way - Im sure theres a better word for it, but I cant think of it for the life of me.
The Governator himself was of the speakers at the rally. He spoke of his love of Israel - how he visited in the 70s as a bodybuilder, the 80s as the Terminator, the 90s (for some reason I cant remember) and again in 2003, in his first foreign trip after becoming Governor. (I do remember when he was in Israel, as I was also - mostly I was refusing to call him my governor.) He ended by saying "Thank you, and I'll be back." His speech was good, succinct, to the point, pro-Israel and good to the Lebanese citizens. Definitely went over very well with the crowd. I enjoyed, then turned to my friend (and soon to be roommate) Mel, and said "I liked it, but he's still not getting my vote."
Oh my! There are so many people! OK - I was at the front (by the end I think there was maybe one person separating me from the security fence) I could see nothing of what was behind me - but I could feel the energy in the air (through the heat and humidity) and I was energized. Exhausted, drenched with sweat and exhillirated. It is an amazing place to be, Los Angeles, with a fabulous community of fellow Israel lovers of all shapes, sizes, colors and creeds.
If it wasn't past midnight and/or I didn't need to get up for the theatre in the morning, I would surely have more to tell you - but, that is not the case.
Until next time... keep on dreaming!
