Hello From Jerusalem From Yossi's desk
Erev Hanukah Dec 3, 2007

Shalom,

Last Friday, I participated in a very special ceremony with my 8 year-old son Daniel and hundreds his classmates. Together, each child and parent chose an Israeli soldier who is missing in action and learned the story of his life – where he came from, where his family lives, his personal experiences and the details of his disappearance. Then, we created kites and attached notes praying for our soldiers' speedy return. As we sent our kites and prayers up to the heavens, we sent a message of solidarity and strength to their families and expressed our collective hopes for their wellbeing.

Like the other parents, it was emotional for me to watch my child during this lesson. Growing up in the State of Israel, he is learning at a young age that our dear State has come at a tremendous price. He is also learning that as Jews, we are all responsible for one another. For this reason, as I stood beside him, I also felt tremendous pride.

Just 24 hours before my son's ceremony, I was in Canada, where the Jewish community recently hosted members of the Goldwasser and Regev families, whose sons Ehud and Eldad have been missing for almost a year and a half. They visited Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, where they met with key community leaders and decision makers, spoke with the local and national media, participated in a special government session and experienced the warmth and love of thousands of Canadian Jews, who welcomed them with big rallies in every community. I was touched to hear that they titled their visit "A cold land – a warm community" because, in their own words, "in a cold land covered in snow, we were embraced by a warm and caring Jewish community displaying signs of support, posters and petitions, and even donating funds to help us with our cause."

Tomorrow night, millions of Jews around the world will light the first candle of Hanukah, commemorating the miracle of light and our people's triumph over enemies who threatened to destroy us. My second son, Guy, who is learning about the holiday at school, asked me if miracles still happen today. I told him that he is living in a miracle and a dream: the Jewish State and the Jewish homeland.

Of course, some things still haven't changed – today, thousands of years after the miracle of Hanukah, we still have enemies who seek to destroy us, who attack our country and who torment the sons we are obliged to send to defend us. But we will not let them triumph – we will continue to hope for better days, when, as in days of old, light will overcome the darkness, and our people will finally be permitted to live in peace.

Tami, Daniel, Guy, Omri and I, as well as all the staff in the Israel office, wish you and your families a Chag Urim Sameach – a joyous Festival of Lights.

Yossi

MIA Countdown (as of December 3rd):
Gilad Shalit: 1 year, 161 days
Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev: 1 year, 144 days