In the summer of 2006, my daughter, Jordan, visited Israel with a group of teens from Baltimore. While they were there, war broke out with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The group happened to be touring the North at the time, so they kept moving around and eventually had to return to Baltimore a few days early. Two days after their return, the teens learned that Nir, one of their Israeli guides for the four weeks they were in Israel, had been called up from the reserve and had been one of the last casualties of the war. Our kids were devastated and had a life lesson you never want your children to experience. When I discussed this with Jordan, I remember her describing to me how the group had toured Har Herzl during the trip and how the next time she was in Jerusalem she couldn't believe that she would be visiting Nir's grave.

Five years later, Jordan is back in Israel for five months of community service. This week, she again visited Har Herzl with her group. She asked her Israeli guide, who she had gotten to know on other excursions across the country over the last three months, how she could locate a specific grave at the cemetery. He told her she could look it up online and inquired as to the individual's name. When she told him Nir Cohen, the guide could not believe it. He told her that he was a good friend of Nir's, that they had worked together and served together in the reserves. He immediately took Jordan to Nir's grave.

Next Monday is Yom Hazikaron in Israel, a day of remembrance for all of Israel's fallen soldiers. Jordan will be remembering Nir. The next day is Yom Ha-atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, celebrating the rebirth of the Jewish state, a day of national pride and optimism. Jordan will undoubtedly join in the dancing on the streets of Tel Aviv. The juxtaposition of these two days is truly remarkable as emblematic of the resilience of the human spirit and the course of Jewish history. From slavery to freedom; from the ashes of Auschwitz to the State of Israel. Replete with pain and tragedy; brimming with strength and joy.  We continue.

Shabbat Shalom.