Home

by Ariel Pamela Blacher

               The initial desire of a young married couple is their ability to create a home together.  What exactly is a home? Is it the furnishings, the delectable meals cooked in the kitchen? Is it the laughter of young children running throughout the space? Or is it a spiritual place, a home where one can be connected to family, to friends, and to G-d?  And, where can one find such a home? How can one make such a home?  Does it exist? For me, my home is Israel.

               My family moved to Israel eight years ago from America.  Our goal was to be able to live in a land that is the land destined for the Jewish people.  This land was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  This land was nourished by Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah.  And, the Kings of Israel built the Holy Temple in its coveted city of Jerusalem.  How could we not want to partake in such a destiny?

               Moving to Israel is not an easy feat.  At times, thorns are strewn in our paths in ways unfathomable to the American sensibility.  Yet, olim (immigrants) take these stumbling blocks as mere annoyances.  The language barrier, the inability to understand cultural nuances, and the post office system are only a few of the myriad of adventures we have all encountered!  Yet, we live here because it is our home.  We have decided to raise our families here, and watch future generations grow here, as well. 

               There is a viral video of local Israeli finalists from the 2013 television show The Voice.  They are singing the song “Home” by Phillip Phillips.  It is a poignant view of what home his.  The lyrics of the first stanzas are:

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
You get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

This song explains it all…Our home in Israel is an unfamiliar road that olim blindly join. But, we know that we are not alone, we are together with other families…people who have made the same commitment to live in a Jewish State. We do not let the demons of terror unsettle us. Why? Because we know we are not alone. For, we make this place our home! It is a home of Jewish tradition, of spiritual guidance, and of brotherly love. It has been our home for generations. No one can ever take away my home.