Salute to Israel Parade – Responses

As expected, my last post drew some criticism. For a blog that is barely read and even less commented upon, 5 posts that ranged from critical to disapproving to supportive is a lot. I thank the people that read it and the people who commented. Even grovepark who was "offended by this post" responded and did so politely. Libby Bamizrach said "...your honesty was refreshing, your emotions totally understood..."

I know you're not happy with the content of the post, but I thank you all for understanding where it came from.

Remember, I was the one who said in the post that it would be "obnoxious" and a "vent" which would be "emotional" and "irrational."

Still, I wrote it so I should respond.

I think efrat hit it on the head: "I'm so sorry that you are having a difficult time of things right now. It sounds like you are very frustrated with your situation." As they say in Hebrew, "ein safek" (no doubt). It's tough to make aliyah. There are a lot of very, very difficult things to contend with. There is no question that my rant was due in large part to the difficulties I am experiencing now.

Grovepark wrote: "How long have you lived in Israel, M-D?" (Answer: Ten months.) Have you forgotten all of the difficulties of contemplating making aliyah?"

No. In my post, I wrote: "I know that not everyone who wants to make aliyah actually can. For more than 2 decades I participated in the parade with a little sour taste left in my mouth saying, “Maybe this is the year....” and I am certain that many people did the same this year. I know that I am blasting good, hard-working people who have hearts in the right place" It may not have sounded like it, but I know exactly what it feels like. I was the one, at our going-away party last summer no less, who told a couple who expressed feelings of guilt for not moving to Israel, the same point that efrat made, "Also, if the 10%, 20% or 30% of the crowd, that you suggest, moves to Israel and they do not have a way to support themselves once there, that would be hugely taxing on the system.."

There are a few things that I must accept and agree with in your comments:

1) Grovepark and Libby Bamizrach both talked about the effect the parade has on non-observant people too. That is a point very well taken; my parochial perspective got the best of me and I accept fully that critique.

2) Another fair critique is this: efrat wrote, " Maybe you could do something about getting the word out Israeli T.V. and radio. I would think that seeing 100,000 people gathering for the State of Israel would give many there happiness and strength!" Point well taken.

3) Libby Bamizrach and grovepark both wrote that part of the parade's value is on the kids and the community in general. I agree 100% and I even wrote it in the post:

"The marchers and viewers themselves should get recharged in their love and support for Israel. They may not all be able to move here, but it’s still nice to know they’re there."

But maybe I didn't write it strongly enough.

I thought a lot about Libby Bamizrach's question, "Just out of curiosity, if you came back for a visit would you go to the parade?" Let me answer a different question first. If I, for whatever reason, moved back to America, would I attend the parade? Definitely yes. For the reasons that you and I wrote: I would go for me, for my kids, for my school, for my community. I would go to remind myself that I should be in Israel. That I am proud of the people there. (I would also go for the reasons that hajew said, such as "reunion of old friends..." etc. But that's a different story.) I would go if I lived there. I would go if I visited.

But that doesn't make me regret my post. I wrote from me and for me. I wrote from the heart: I am where I am (both physically and emotionally) and I am who I am. What I wrote came from who I am. Hajew wrote that we're all entitled to an opinion and what's an opinion worth if it doesn't come from within even if we're not proud of it. I cannot apologize for that even if it offends.

So, the bottom line is this: I thank you for your comments (and prayers) and, as I said, I accept much of the critique. Still, I cannot apologize for my emotions. They most certainly come from the emotional state that I'm in now and it is probably not completely coherent, cogent or rational.

There is no question that my last post was an emotional, slightly immature look at the Parade. But I think that one of the beautiful aspects of a blog - and people in general who respect each other - is that you can write from the heart and the gut.

Thanks for letting me.