Redemption involves a movement… from the periphery of history to its center… To be on the periphery means to be a non-history-making entity, while movement towards the center renders the same entity history-making and history-conscious… A history-making people is one that leads a speaking, storytelling, [and] free existence.

We—the rabbis of Bergen County—have a story to tell you. This story does not just take place a long, long time ago; it’s about today and tomorrow. This story is not just about a faraway place; it’s about us and our community right here. This story is not just about people; it’s about a people—our people.

We each live individual lives, but we also live a common story. We have many homes all around the world, but we also share a homeland. We face a common threat—an eternal hatred, but we are not victims of fate—we are masters of our destiny.

Israel—both the modern state and the undying people—is the greatest project ever, and we are all stakeholders in it. We are forever connected to it and Israel is connected to us—Israel is us. All those connections weave together to tell this story—your story / my story / our story. Israel needs you. Israel needs us. We are the story.

And who is like Your people Israel, a unique nation on earth (Shmuel II 7:23).

A country exists because of its people. Those people make sacrifices for its existence. The Jewish people exists because Avraham Avinu heard a call: Lech lecha. We exist because Avraham was prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to heed that call and to start our story.

In 1948, Israel’s Declaration of Independence called upon the Jews of the Diaspora to contribute to both its birth and its future. It said:

We appeal to the Jewish people throughout the Diaspora to rally round the Jews of Eretz-Israel in the tasks of immigration and upbuilding and to stand by them in the great struggle for the realization of the age-old dream—the redemption of Israel.

That appeal was answered. We must ask ourselves—as do our brothers and sisters in Israel and all around the world—if we will continue to respond to that call. Will you join the great struggle for that age-old dream?

Seventy-five years ago, our fathers and mothers renewed our nation upon its ancient soil. They reclaimed sovereignty after its nearly 2,000-year absence. They created a safe and secure place for our people—a state where we can live without being victims. That state would be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel. Its commitment to equal social and political rights for all its inhabitants was rooted in the proposition that God created all people in God’s image. It is the Jewish people’s destiny to seek tzedek and mishpat—the righteousness and justice that must emerge from that most basic of propositions.

Hashem has blessed the State of Israel.

A song of ascents. When Hashem restores the fortunes of Zion—we see it as in a dream.

These 75 years have been truly blessed years. We have witnessed the successful integration of millions of immigrants. A humble group of 800,000 souls at Israel’s founding is now a prosperous country of close to 10 million citizens. What was once a struggling economy is now a place of technological innovation and a world leader in many fields. A desert land has been transformed into an oasis filled with water and prosperity. Torah study takes place today on a scale multiple times greater than it has at any other time in our history. It is not just formal study, however. The Torah’s values of chesed and tzedaka are lived out in the actions of hospitals, food pantries, and an army whose strength comes not just through its arms but through its ethics.

We—as Americans—have been a critical part of Israel’s success. America was there for Israel from the time of its founding. America has not just been the critical ally in Israel’s defense—America has been a beacon of democratic values that has inspired Israel’s democracy.

We as American Jews have been an important part of Israel’s success. During Israel’s early years, the financial contributions made by American Jewry through Israel Bonds and the UJA were critical in establishing Israel’s developing economy. The political support that American Jewry has given and continues to give Israel helps Israel in what has often been terribly unfriendly diplomatic environments.

We are so proud of our children who have made aliyah; we are so proud of our children who have served in the IDF; we are so proud of the living bond between our communities and the state of Israel.

AND—we know it’s not this simple. Israel is a great state—it is not a perfect state. We have shed innumerable tears for the loss of lives—that Israel has been required to sacrifice to continue to survive. The senseless tragedies of these past months are front of mind for us. We identify with the pain and suffering that those in Eretz Yisrael endure on the front lines. We think especially of Lucy, Maia and Rina Dee, to whose memories we dedicate this event.

Israel is a contentious and cantankerous democracy. We have witnessed the anguish of civil strife within Israel in these past months. We know that despite its courageous efforts—Israel has made peace with some—but not all of its neighbors.

In this Israel’s 75th year—we continue to respond not just to the call of Israel’s declaration of independence 75 years ago on this day—but also to the call of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook years before:

We do not complain of the dark, but rather we resolve to increase light; we do not complain of evil, but rather work to increase justice; we do not complain of heresy, but rather inspire to increase faith; we do not complain of ignorance, but rather teach to increase wisdom. In the face of senseless hatred, we respond with senseless love.

We commit ourselves to do our part for our people. Israel is not just a place for our hearts. It is a place for our bodies. We will continue to invest days, months, and years of our lives in Israel. Many of us will one day live in Israel. We will support Israel financially. We will engage with Israel’s vibrant culture. Learning about the modern state of Israel through its film, literature, music and Torah. We will do so by learning and speaking Hebrew—and teaching it to our children. We will advocate for Israel in the halls of government and in the streets of towns like this one—all around this country. In the face of those who oppose it, we will proudly support Israel.

In this 75th year, davka now—we must speak and live with achdus… it is now that Rav Kook’s vision of ahavat chinam must become operational. We feel Hashem’s presence in Israel’s story—in our story.

We dedicate this day as a time to recommit ourselves to Israel’s ideals: a Jewish state for all its people which can proudly stand at the center of history as an equal among the peoples of this world with a unique mission, message and light to share with all.

Our story matters. It changes the world. It creates pushback and sometimes even hatred. We are unafraid. We stand in the public square. We stand at the center of history. We thank God for the state of Israel. We are here and we’re proud. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being the story.

We take the words of Rabbi Leo Dee, “The Israeli flag is the sign of good; it is the sign of building something worthy; it is about building a better future.”

Let’s each raise that flag. Let’s proudly tell our story.

Rabbi Chaim Strauchler is the rabbi at Teaneck’s Congregation Rinat Yisrael.