Dear Yavneh Family,
Today we celebrate the 73rd birthday of the modern state of Israel. In a strange way, this year feels different in that for the first time for most of us, we can't choose to go to Israel whenever we want. For the past year, Covid has changed that. In many ways, that longing only increases our appreciation for Israel. For everything that we miss-from the Kotel to the food, the hikes and the shopping, the sheer longing to be there provides us with a tiny glimpse of what Jews felt for nearly 2,000 years. Baruch Hashem, we have Medinat Israel. Please God we will be able to visit again soon. Today, let us recognize the tremendous blessing, together with the miracles and sacrifices that brought us to this point.
Chag Sameach!
Rabbi Jonathan Knapp
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