Israel 101

I'm trying a new class today at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center - Israel 101. It promises to be "an illuminating discussion" on Israel in today's world, the history of the region and current events that will shape Israel's future.  I can't wait because this is exactly the kind of forum I have been hoping to find. 

Israel has become more real and more meaningful to me since our wonderful trip there in 2011.  I came to understand the importance of what I once thought of as a faraway place with not all that much impact on my day-to-day existence here in the US.  I now realize that no matter how "integrated" and successful and valued we may feel in the US or Canada or any other country, the homeland of Jews everywhere is the State of Israel.

In this picture I am physically in Israel, at a place where my distant ancestors may have lived their lives. 

In my mind, a piece of me is always there,  in  אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל  Eretz Yisrael.