Yom Ha’atzmaut launched a year of celebrations marking 60 years of the State of Israel.
Every Jewish festival has a focus on food, and Israel Independence Day is no exception. Few families didn’t enjoy a celebratory barbeque in one of the many parks, creating a cloud of smoke over the country.
But as the people of Israel were eating their burgers and sausages, I was on a plane flying back to London.
Although exiting Israel doesn’t seem like a Zionist thing to, especially on a day like this, I had good reason. My father shares his birthday with the State, both having reached 60 years last Thursday.
Not wanting to be out of Israel on the country’s special day – but equally wanting to be with my dad on his – I settled on being in both places by returning to England in the afternoon.
My visit was brief, but worthwhile. One of the highlights of my short trip was to see my younger brother, Aron, play in the final for his football team, the Hendon Hawks.
During the game, at the Wingate and Finchley football ground, Aron scored his team’s only goal of the match, as well as a crucial penalty in the shoot-out that followed. Although it wasn’t enough to lead them to victory, it was enough to make me proud!
Football is on the minds of Israelis, too, this week with many fans taking to the Kotel to pray for their team to achieve an historic double. Not Manchester United, but Betar Jerusalem, who, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the State Cup final are in touching distance of clinching their first ever league and cup double.
This meeting of religion and sport highlights that nothing that takes place in the Jewish State is ever too far from our faith.
May it be a year of real celebration for football fans everywhere, and for the entire State of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom.