Dear Friends,
As our community comes together to mark Israel’s 56th Independence Day, we celebrate more than a date. We celebrate the achievement of Jewish independence, the successes of Israel in culture, science, research, the economy and our life as a free people on our own land. We celebrate our strength while praying and yearning for peace, Shalom, an end to violence and acceptance by our neighbors in the region.
This is a day when young and old, men and women, people of different political convictions, different origins, Jews of Russian heritage, Israeli and American Jews join together in celebrating the idea of Jewish sovereignty, life and continuity, of Israel as a major pillar in our culture and religion and as a bridge of unity among Jews all over the world.
We celebrate all that and more — for the first time in the Bay Area we have made it to the ballpark with so many of us sharing the experience, the vision and dream of Israel.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for your love for Israel. “Am Yisrael Chai” forever and ever.
With best wishes for a happy Independence Day,
Yossi Amrani
Consul General of Israel
Pacific Northwest Region