1983-1984 Rothberg Yearbook

CELEBRATE
7 May 1984 2:00 a.m.
Today was an emotional rollercoaster, a day
in which my thoughts really wandered, but in a
deep and intense way. “Remembrance Day —
Yom Hazikaron” started Saturday Night and
today there were ceremonies throughout the
country. Each community remembers their
members in their own unique way. There was
a major ceremony at Mt. Herzl, the site of the
military cemetary.
I went to the cemetary with two friends,
both of whom wanted to visit people who
were killed in Lebanon. The cemetary was an
incredible site. The whole city of Jerusalem
was there, each going to see father, son,
daughter or friend killed in one of the five
wars. It was a day in which the entire country
was “one.” Something which is unheard of in
the States and something which is hard to
believe, given, that Israel is in the midst of
political turmoil and complete economic
chaos.
Yom Hazikaron ended at sundown and
Yom Ha־Atzmaut began. It’s a psychological
wonder how these two completely different
days occur back to back and fit so well
together. Last night and-today Israel remembered
its dead whereas tonight the country
celebrates its living and the very fact that it
exists after 36 years of constant struggle. If
there actually is something like dying for a
worthwhile cause then Yom HaAtzmaut is the
epitomy of that feat.
Tonight the country was once again
united, yet this time the mood was festive. At
one center of town there was literally one
massive party. The entire city was out, young
and old alike. All the streets were blocked off
and the people were out having some “good
clean fun.” “Boppers” seemed to be the main
form of entertainment. Everyone was blowing
horns, “bopping” and wishing each other
happy holidays. There were loud speakers and
Israeli flags lining the streets. Israeli folk music
filled the air and people were literally “dancin’
in the streets.”
For the first time since I had been here
I was actually considering Aliyah. Never in my
life have I seen a people actually an entire
nation having so much fun and be so close to
one another. Never before have I seen a people
celebrate their very existence. What an experience.
The feelings I had tonight cannot
adequately be described on paper. They have
to be seen and felt. HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ISRAEL. THANK G-D YOU’RE STILL
HERE. I LOVE YOU!!
Crowded Ben Yehuda
Shushan Purim passes by in the
Diaspora as a normal day. We have feasted
the day before, and the fun and excitement
of dressing up and drinking has already
been done. But there is one special
city in the world that will be celebrating
on this day, when everyone else will.be
going on with their daily lives. The city is
Jerusalem. And because Jerusalem was a
walled city, they celebrate Chag Purim on
this day.
If streets like King George, Jaffa,
and Ben Yehuda seem crowded on a
Saturday night, then the Purim crowd
show you what a real crowd is like.
Thousands of people show up for the
singing, costumes, food, and festive am­
biance that surrounds the city this day.
With streets blocked off the people are
free to dance, and drink in the streets
without worry. What is most amazing to
me is how a whole city can celebrate in
unison. Purim in Jerusalem is unlike anything
in the world. In New York, all the
Jews don’t flood 5th Ave. And Los
Angeles is too vast to have all the Jews
partying in one area. And in Kansas?
In the Shul for Megila reading,
one could be anywhere. But for the spirit
and Ruach of a people remembering how
they were saved from destruction, Jerusalem,
Israel is the place to be.
Clark Loffman
Univ. of Southern California
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