- Every Jew Counts – Your Presence Makes a Difference
Narrative:
In Israel, one Jew is never just a number. Each arrival is a celebration; each contribution is meaningful. A single family moving to a new community can help strengthen a town. A single entrepreneur can create jobs. A single student can inspire others. In a country built by the collective effort of the Jewish people, every individual matters. In Israel, no Jew is insignificant.
Biblical Source:
“Not one of you shall be lost, but you shall be gathered one by one, O children of Israel.” (Isaiah 27:12)
וְאַתֶּם תְּלֻקְּטוּ לְאֶחָד אֶחָד בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.» (ישעיהו כז:יב
Talmudic Source:
“The Land of Israel is acquired through hardship.” (Berachot 5a)
אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל נִקְנֵית בְּיִסּוּרִין.» (ברכות ה
- Part of the Majority –
Living in a Jewish-Majority Country
Narrative:
For thousands of years, Jews have been a minority, always adapting to foreign cultures. In Israel, for the first time in millennia, Jews are the majority. The culture is Jewish, the calendar is Jewish, and the language is Jewish. Walking down the street and seeing mezuzot on every door, hearing “Shabbat Shalom” instead of “Merry Christmas”—these are daily reminders that this is a country where Jews truly belong. Living in Israel means experiencing Jewish life in its fullness.
Biblical Source:
“And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all, and they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two
kingdoms again.” (Ezekiel 37:22)
וְעָשִׂיתִי אוֹתָם לְגוֹי אֶחָד בָּאָרֶץ בְּהָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמֶלֶךְ
אֶחָד יִהְיֶה לְכֻלָּם לְמֶלֶךְ וְלֹא יִהְיוּ עוֹד לִשְׁנֵי גוֹיִם
וְלֹא יֵחָצוּ עוֹד לִשְׁתֵּי מַמְלָכוֹת עוֹד.» (יחזקאל לז:כב
Talmudic Source:
“One who lives in the Land of Israel is like one who has a God, and one who lives outside the Land is like one who has no God.” (Ketubot 110b)
כׇּל הַדָּר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל דּוֹמֶה לְמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֱלֹהַּ
וְכׇל הַדָּר בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ דּוֹמֶה לְמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אֱלֹהַּ
(כתובות קי)
Rabbi Paul Bloom lives in Jerusalem with his wife Ettie. Paul is President of the Israel Inspiration Initiative and is on the Board of the New York / Israel Chamber of Commerce. He is the CEO of PDB Futurecom International and is a retired CTO of IBM Research’s Communication Sector.
