This year only women are lighting the torches at the Yom Ha'Atzmaut ceremony!

Shalom Girls and Boys:

Yom Ha'Atzmaut -- Israel Independence Day -- is next week and my cousin Zehava is all excited. In fact, you're probably going to see her on TV next Monday night, as she goes down the line of 14 women lighting torches at the official ceremony launching the Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration. It's going to be a FIRST -- I promise -- for Zehava and for the female population of Israel. For the first time, every person lighting a torch is going to be a woman! And Zehava is going to be there, hovering next to each one as each torch is lit!

You want to know who these women are? Click on the link above. But let me tell you -- and Zehavah wants me to tell you for sure -- women have always played an important role in Israel.  From the very beginning, when they fought in the War of Independence, until today. I'm not saying that women don't have problems in 21st century Israel. Sure they do. But we're working on solving them. In the meantime, let's celebrate Israel's women -- from 1948 until today. Look at the photo credits below to find out who's who.
                                                                                 

                                                                                          

                                         

 

Palmach women photo credit

Golda Meir photo credit

Politicans Shelly Yechimovitz & Tzipi Livni photo credit

The late Naomi Shemer, leading songwriter photo credit

Nobel Prize Winner Professor Ada Yonath Photo Credit

Tennis champion Shachar Pe'er Photo Credit

Female soldier photo credit

Female Arab-Israeli Soccer players on Hapoel Petach Tikva team

Female scientists photo credit

Win a Free Book: Take this Yom Ha'Atzmaut Quiz

Hey Girls & Boys:

This year I'm celebrating Israel Independence Day with a Yom Ha'Atzmaut quiz. The first one to send me all the correct answers will win a free, autographed copy of Zvuvi's Israel. 

Ready?

Good luck -- בהצלחה !

1. Who was the father of modern Zionism?

    a. Chaim Weizmann  b. Theodor Herzl  c. Edmond Rothschild

2. Which city in Israel is named after him?

     a. Kfar Weizmann  b. Tel Mond  c. Herzliya

3. In what year was Israel established?

     a. 1967   b. 1948   c. 1898

4. What is the name of Israel's capital city?

     a. Tel Aviv  b. Jerusalem  c. Modiin

5. Who was Israel's first Prime Minister?

     a. Moshe Sharett  b. Yitzhak Rabin   c. David Ben-Gurion

6. The Israeli flag is designed to resemble:

     a. King David's shield  b. the Tallit -- prayer shawl  c. Emblem of the Maccabees

7. What is the name of Israel's national anthem?

     a. Hatikva   b. Shir Ha'Maalot    c. Jerusalem of Gold

8. Who was Israel's only female Prime Minister?

     a. Henrietta Szold  b. Golda Meir  c. Rahel Ben-Zvi

9. Where did she grow up?

     a. Warsaw, Poland   b. Kibbutz Alpha   c. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

10. The first kibbutz in Israel was:

     a. Kibbutz Alpha   b. Kibbutz Degania Alef   c. Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch

11. The national bird of Israel is:

     a. Falcon   b. Sandpiper  c. Hoopoe

12. What is the national currency of Israel?

     a. Lira   b. Shekel   c. Agorah  d. Dollar

13. What was invented in Israel?

    a. cellphones  b. texting  c. USB flash drive  d. all three

14. What are the two official languages of Israel?

    a. Hebrew & English   b. Hebrew & Arabic   c. Hebrew & Russian  d. Israel has no "official" language

15. Israel has the lowest point on earth. Where is it?

    a. Gulf of Eilat   b. Ramon Crater   c. Dead Sea  d. Sea of Galilee

Whew...I think that's enough! Remember, the first class/school/person to send me the correct answers wins a free, autographed copy of Zvuvi's Israel. Don't forget to include your address.

חג שמח

    Photo Credit

We're One of the World's Happiest Countries! Happy Independence Day!

Shalom Girls & Boys:

I hope you're getting ready to celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut -- Israel Independence Day. Everybody over here is. Flags are flying -- like this one specially made for car windows.

What's more, people are smiling, and there's a lot to smile about. There has to be, otherwise why would the U.N. declare us the 14th happiest country in the world! 

I know you're asking "WHAAT! How can that be?" You're right, we're not exactly located in the best neighborhood, and let's face it the neighbors want us to move out. But we're not budging. Why we're not is the top reason we're so happy. We've done it. We've returned to the land of Israel and built one unbelievable country not only for us, but for all Jews around the world. 

That's one BIG reason to celebrate. Not just us, you too. I recently heard a Jewish mother in America say that now that her children are in their twenties, no longer in Day School and learning about Israel, Yom Ha'Atzmaut is not really important. HUH!!!???? I really gave it to her. Regardless of how old you are Yom Ha'Atzmaut should be important to you and every Jew around the world.  Why? Because it's good to know that all of us have each other and a wonderful country.

So that's my preach for the day, but that lady got me really upset.

According to the U.N. report, political freedom, people you can count on -- meaning strong friendships and loving family -- job security, good mental and physical health are all part of the happiness picture.  We've got oodles of most of that. Plus we have other reasons to be so happy and I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

Yom Ha'atzma'ut Sa'me'ach. Happy Israel Independence Day!

Flag Photo Credit

Kotel Photo Credit

Beach Photo Credit

Ibex photo credit

Kayaking photo credit

basketball photo credit

cheerleaders photo credit

Right foot forward, left foot forward, right across back foot...

Shalom Yeladim:
Phew...learning how to dance an Israeli folk dance is not easy, but I'm determined. So what if I have four legs, which makes it more difficult. The thing is I'm an Israeli...O.K., an Israeli fly...and I'm proud of the fact that people around the world are dancing Israeli folk dances. It's unbelievable! Watch how these people in Japan dance Sha'avta Mayim...and women in Berlin, Germany dance an Israeli Debka.

Israeli folk dancing is our biggest cultural export – much more popular than our famous violinists, orchestras and artists who have made their mark around the world. It started decades ago with a simple Hora danced to Hava Nagila, just like these kids are dancing. Today it's that AND MUCH MORE. We do line dancing, choreographed numbers, you name it and everybody loves it. You know what? Israeli folk dancing is a great way to have fun and exercise at the same time. You simply can't go wrong, even if you're a klutz like me.

There's a reason that I'm telling you about Israeli folk dancing. Yom Ha'atzmaut – Israel Independence Day – is a little over a week away. Dancing is part of the celebration and I want you to be ready. So...

Right foot forward, left foot forward, right across back foot...

Zvuvi....(who's trying to get the steps right)