Shalom friends,

In 70 CE the second temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jewish population was scattered in the Diaspora. 1878 years later, on the 5th of the Jewish lunar month Iyar, the State of Israel was declared by David Ben-Gurion.
Immediately after the declaration of the state of Israel, the War of Independence broke out with the young state fighting against the Arab nations’ attacks. This pendulum of joy and fear, peace and war, has become a significant part of Israel’s existence. Symbolically, we honor the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism on the day preceding the celebration of Independence Day.
The state of Israel became a melting pot of Jews who came from all over the world. The young state has made a difference in the lives of many people in Israel and in the Diaspora. The people of the young state made a difference in every possible area: science, music, agriculture, nature perseverance and tourism, to name a few.
This year, Israel celebrates sixty - a young state with a rich history and many accomplishments.


Yom Atsma'ut Same'ax!
Happy Independence Day!

WEEKLY HEBREW WORD

Transcription: Atsma'ut.

Part of speech: Noun, Feminine.

Literal Meaning: Independence.

Transcription: Degel.

Part of speech: Noun, Masculine.

Meaning: Flag.

Transcription: Shishim.

Meaning: Sixty.

WEEKLY HEBREW DECLARATION

Transcription:	David Ben Gurion: "al yesod haxlatat atseret ha'umot ha'me'uxadot, anu maxrizim bazot al hakamat medina yehudit be'erets Israel, hi medinat Israel!"
Literal Translation:	David Ben Gurion: "On the basis of the decision of the United Nation Assembly, we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, which is The State of Israel."
Context:	The partition plan to divide Palestine between Jews and Arabs was put to a vote in the United Nations on 29 November 1947. The result was 33 in favor of the plan, 13 against, and 10 abstentions. The division was to take effect on the date of British withdrawal from the territory (15 May 1948). Eight hours before the end of the British Mandate over Palestine, David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed the State of Israel. The joy and festivals of the establishment of Israel quickly turned into bitter defensive war against seven Arab armies that attacked the new state.

Watch a Video of David Ben Gurion announcing Israel's Independence. 1948

WEEKLY HEBREW SONG

The Israeli National Anthem

The Hope

Literal Meaning	Transcription	The Song
As long as in the heart, within, A soul of a Jew is yearning, And to the edges of the East, forward, An eye gazes towards Zion.	Kol od baleivav p'nimah Nefesh y'hudi homiyah Ulfa'atei mizrach kadimah Ayin l'tziyon tzofiyah.
Our hope is not yet lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free nation in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem.	Od lo avdah tikvateinu Hatikvah bat sh'not alpayim Lihyot am chofshi b'artzeinu, Eretz tziyon viyrushalayim.

Click to hear Hatikva - The National Anthem of Israel

WEEKLY HEBREW NAMES

Name: Israel (Yisrael, Yisra'el) Gender: Male Time of Appearance: The Biblical Era Meaning: According to the Biblical explanation, the first part of the name "Israel" is derived of the verb (lisrot, "wrestle"); the second half of the name is (El, "God"). This name was given to Jacob because he wrestled with God's angel. History: "Israel" is the name given to Jacob after he wrestled with God's angel; it is also the name of the Biblical kingdom of Israel, the land of Israel, the people of Israel and the modern state of Israel. Citation: "And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." Genesis 32, 28 (Hebrew version: Genesis 32, 29)

Name: Tikvah (Tikva) Gender: Female Time of appearance: The Biblical Era. Meaning: A girl's name (in the Bible: a boy's name), which means: hope. History: There are two people called Tikvah in the Bible. One of them is the father of the husband of Huldah the prophetess. Also, the Israeli national anthem is called: "hatikva" - the hope. Citation: "So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe, now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college,,,." 2 Kings 22, 14 http://stevemorse.org/hebrew/translate.html