Yom Ha’atzmaut
Sonya, 19 years old Born: Russia Time in Israel: 17 years On Zionism: “Being Jewish, the way you cannot be in Russia.” On independence: “It means life in Israel with no Arabs.”
Aryeh, 27 years old Born: Jerusalem, Israel On Independence: “Freedom to do what I want, when I want, how I want, and where I want.”
Faces of Israel
“Effie Ha’Yafeh” Born: Haifa, Israel On Zionism: “The essence of life.” On Atzmaut: The right to exist.
Chanoch, 16 years old Born: Ra’anana, Israel On Zionism: “I never think about what it means; maybe living in Israel. Serving in the army. Giving back the settlements.” On independence: “Having fun and being free with friends.”
Eliyahu Born: Marrakesh, Morocco Time in Israel: 48 years On Zionism: “They just brought us here when we were little so we could settle the land.”
Ilan Born: Israel On Zionism: “Where we find our ‘complete inheritance’, from the words ‘Yerushah Shleymah.’”
Motty Born: Har Gilo, Israel On Zionism: “It was once good, but now it’s complicated.” Estie & Ruty, 16 years old Born: Jerusalem & Kiryat Arba On Zionism: “It means living here, making aliyah, settling the land.” On independence: “Freedom from other lands, freedom to be our own country.” Nil, 21 years old Born: Israel, grew up in Turkey Time in Israel: 5 years On Zionism: “I came back here to serve my country.” On independence: “A break for the country; freedom.”
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Ina, 68 years old Born: Georgia, FSU Time in Israel: 8 years On Zionism: “I made Aliyah to live near my grandchildren.” | May 2008