This Moment.
A clip, a song: the joy in being here right now
As of this morning the headlines speak of a ceasefire with Iran… The feeling is a blend of amazement, trepidation as to what will actually happen in the coming days, bewilderment regarding the simplest of things (Can I go to that doctor’s appointment? Will there yes be school tomorrow?), sadness for the loss of life, immense gratitudes for our lives here, and love of this country.
On Thursday I plan to share more voices of Israeli reactions to the events of the last 12 days. Today, I have two things to share with you, plus an announcement regarding the future of Translating Israel: One Voice at a Time.
First, the announcement:
Beginning next week, I will be shifting from publishing new content twice a week to once a week, as I slowly expand its format.
My goal for Translating Israel is to share the truest voices of Israelis with as many people as possible. I invest significant time into the creative process for each newsletter, and to truly achieve my goal of broad reach, I've realized that creating just one expanded newsletter each week will allow me the necessary time to invest in marketing this Substack in ways I haven't been able to until now.
I'd love for you to help Translating Israel grow. If you have any ideas on how to get the word out more effectively, please reach out. I will soon be sending a pre-written letter to all my subscribers that you can use to share Translating Israel with anyone you believe would like it.
Next, I share with you this clip- there have been a number like it- of Israelis celebrating as they arrive back home after the skies had ‘shut down’ and they were forced to stay away. Missiles still falling— no matter. As the newsmen explain, there is nothing quite like the love Israelis have for this place.
Finally, I translated this song many months ago; the song itself is from three years ago, before the war. I choose to share it today because I think its message fits the journey of the Jewish people, always, and especially in this moment we are in right now. After all we have been through since October 7, all we are still going through (please God we will see the return of all of the hostages yet this week), we have this moment. This moment of wonder, gratitude, and promise. What will be is yet to be seen, but I don’t believe the “expert” commentators are exaggerating when they tell us the Middle East has fundamentally changed.
Our journey back to this land was a long one, our journey in it continues, but this is a moment, as Idan Raichel sings, of happiness.
Idan Raichel’s “Brick Upon Brick”. Creative translation by Leah Hartman of Translating Israel
I loved watching the singing on the plane. An illustration of the special bond we have with each other in Israel. Thank you Leah. Beautiful song as well.