Yesterday, we commemorated Yom Hazikaron, honoring the men and women whose sacrifices brought the nation of Israel into fruition and allowed it to grow and flourish. It was a somber and melancholy day, meant for remembrance and introspection. Today, on April 22nd, the tone is markedly more celebratory and boisterous as we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s national day of independence.
On May 14th, 1948 David Ben Gurion gathered a group of 250 specially selected guests to formally announce the creation of the State of Israel. The ceremony, broadcast live on radio and listened to by nearly every Jew around the world, prompted spontaneous bursts of celebration and exuberance throughout Israel. Men, women and children joined together to dance, cry and sing the nation’s soon-to-be national anthem, Hatikvah. These souls, many of whom who had just recently survived the horrors of the Holocaust, finally had a home to call their own.
It is this very fact we celebrate on this day. For nearly 2000 years the Jewish people had been strangers in strange lands, living under a constant cloud of fear and forcefully relocated all too often. Today we have a home we can be proud of, one that is a leader in innovation and social progress, a home which 38 years ago gave birth to our wonderful organization.
As one of the largest social service organizations for children in the country, the ITEC has played a pivotal role for nearly 40 years crafting champions in Israeli society both on and off the court…leaders whose characters were shaped by the lessons taught to them as children growing up at our centers. On this special date, we thank all of our wonderful supporters whose help has allowed us to continue empowering Israel’s youth, and wish you a Happy Yom Ha’atzmaut.