[HANASHIR:14339] Re: Another Hatikvah question

[Freedabet <Freedabet...>]

Our National Anthem is probably hurtful to citizens of British and Native 
American origin.  Can you imagine what we'd come up with and how often we'd 
have to change it in order not to offend any citizen (let alone permanent 
residents, temporary residents and visitors)?

Israel is not just any country, it's THE Jewish country, which happens to be 
a democracy unlike most other countries.  Jews survived and didn't survive in 
many countries around the world, but there is only one country that is 
dedicated to the survival of Jews AND their religion.  I don't think we 
should apologize for Hatikvah or the Magen David on the flag or any other 
Jewish symbols in Israeli public life.  Just as Jews put up with whatever 
symbols and songs the absentee rulers of The Land inflicted on them, non-Jews 
who choose to live in The Jewish State need to deal with these things.  It 
was particularly generous of the founders of Israel to grant non-Jews 
citizenship  compared to how most of the world has worked historically.

Michael


-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

> Date: Monday, 19-May-03 07:48 PM
> 
> From: Schachet, Richard        \ Internet:    (lvrabbi (at) lvcm(dot)com)
> To:   Hanashir Mail Server     \ Internet:    (hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org)
> 
> Subject:  [HANASHIR:14319] Re: Another Hatikvah question
> 
> Sender: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Reply-to:       hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> To:     hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> I disagree with Shirona-
> 
> If we live in a democracy (which Israel is supposed to be) theIsraeli  Arabs
> cannot sing this-- in the same way I can't sing about Jesus.  We used to 
even
> sing "Onward hmmm hmmm Soldiers.  It is hard to have it both ways.
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Shirona 
>   To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
>   Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 9:08 AM
>   Subject: [HANASHIR:14307] Re: Another Hatikvah question
> 
> 
>   So maybe we should change (or re-think) the Star Spangled Banner because 
the
> native-Americans might not feel "comfortable" with it.  Don't we have enough
> REAL "tsures" ( troubles, problems, horrors, tragedies - take your pick) in
> this world (as Jews and otherwise) to engage in this sort of thing?
>   Give me a break!
>   Shirona
>   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
>   Singer, Songwriter and Teacher of Jewish Music
>    Visit my website at    www.shirona.com
>   Listen to my music at www.mp3.com/shirona
>   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> 
>     ----- Original Message ----- 
>     From: Batiya5723 (at) cs(dot)com 
>     To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
>     Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 11:48 AM
>     Subject: [HANASHIR:14304] Another Hatikvah question
> 
> 
>     Another question about this song...
> 
>     In my work as a religious school teacher, songleader and music 
specialist,
> I have lately been questioned by my older students (middle and high school 
age)
> about the "relevance" of singing Hatikvah in light of current events. As 
one of
> my seventh-graders put it, "If I were an Arab member of the Knesset and had 
to
> stand while the song was being sung at the opening of session, I'm not sure 
HOW
> I'd feel. It sure doesn't speak to the Israeli-Arab's view of things."
> 
>     I've already brought this question to my Educator, who says to welcome 
the
> questions, but that as long as the song remains the national anthem of 
Israel,
> we will sing it (and I will continue to teach it) at religious school
> Israeli-related events.
> 
>     I would welcome the perspectives of other teachers who have faced 
similar
> questions, and how they worked with them in the context of a lesson. Thanks 
in
> advance. --Beth Hamon 
> 
> 
> 

-------- REPLY, End of original message --------

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