<!–
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
Army boots, green
beret, stand tall. Stiff salute, single
file, roll call.
the ceremony.
base. She, along with 116 girls and three guys, had just completed basic
training.
visiting bases and attending army ceremonies has become a regular privilege.
But I have never been to an IDF base that is mostly dedicated to women. And I have never
attended a ceremony celebrating the army achievements of 19-year-old girls.
The girls stood in formation, their black boots splayed. Theylooked powerful, confident, capable. Some wore skirts and other pants. A few
had their hair specially braided for the occasion, while others wore their hair
tied up in a bun or a bouncing pony tail.
freckled and fair. It was a union of
many nations, many societies and many religious beliefs on one tiny basketball
court, on one base and in one neat formation.
saluted and received a Tanach, the Jewish bible. They ran back in line,
glowing, their wide grins filled with pride over their achievements.
from all parts of Israel. Some grew up on non-religious kibbutzim, while others
were city girls. Many (including my daughter) were religious girls who had just
completed studies at a midrasha.
girls asked the non-religious girls to come to synagogue. Some had never before
been into a shul and many had never opened a siddur. They came to synagogue out
of curiosity and respect for their new religious roommates and friends.
them into their swinging, stomping circle. They were one. My daughter said it
was one of the most meaningful Shabbats she has ever experienced.
his head, officer insignia on his shoulders, he spoke about this time being
significant in the Jewish calendar for working on perfection. He reminded us,
religious and non-religious alike, that although we may be from different
backgrounds, together we can create a synergy.
Yesterday the girls swore to serve their country with
dedication and devotion. They had a sparkle in their eyes, a jump to their
step. They had developed a respect of one anothers differences and a love of
unity. This is the beauty of the Israeli army.
represent our future.
Discover more from Life in Israel
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Life in Israel 