The Charlotte Jewish News - November 2008 - Page 5
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Tzipi Livni, GMad Shalit, and Thoughts
on the New Year
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By Hagar Shahak
The High Holiday period
actually begins in Elul, the
Hebrew month preceding Rosh
Hashanah. Elul is an important
period of introspection, of clari
fying one’s life goals, and of
coming closer to God. On Rosh
Hashanah, each individual
stands before the Almighty and
asks for a successful new year.
During Elul, many people
perform a daily “Cheshbon
Nefesh”- a spiritual accounting,
where we step back and look at
ourselves critically and honest
ly, with the intention of improv
ing.
I am proud to start the New
Year as an Israeli because
Kadima, the political party now
in charge of the government,
chose Tzipi Livni to lead
Kadima after Ehud Olmert
decided to retire from being
prime minister. Tzipi Livni will
be Israel’s second female prime
minister, the first being Golda
Meir 1969-1974. Of the four
possible candidates for
prime minister, she was the
only female candidate and
detennined by her peers to
be the best.
During the last few
weeks, I guided a program
about Selichot (forgiveness)
and Tshuva (repentance). I
told the story of Gilad
Shalit. In June 2006, Gilad
Shalit was captured by
Hamas on the border with
Gaza. Today Gilad Shalit is
still being held by Hamas,
more than two years later.
Because Israel has received
a letter and an audio tape
from him, we know for sure
that he is still alive.
When Gilad was eleven
years old, he wrote a story
about the shark and the fish
whose families are not com
fortable with one another.
The shark and the fish wish
to get to know one another
despite family animosity,
and work towards creating
more warmth between fami
lies. Gilad’s family decided
to publish this book in the
hopes that he will be
released.
I believe that this book
describes Gilad’s upbring
ing; his parents have educat
ed him to believe in hope for
love and peace. Therefore I
reminded the students in
Hebrew High that some
where someone may be in
need of help. The help can
be a reminder for hope, love
and peace or the help can be
a friendship. The teens of
Hebrew High and Charlotte
Jewish Preschool made an
ocean of little fish and
sharks that support hope,
love, and peace. Their
efforts are currently dis
played near the main
entrance to the LJCC.
I wish you Shana Tova
and hope that we will share
the new year together. 0
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When the rtsh Iftet
X>)i6Qms do
aotue -tme.
, Just osfe ebeafs.
"Our lives changed when Laurie
: introduced us. We bring love, ■
laughter, and excitement to each
other's lives, and we have Laurie
to thank for ail that awaits us
in the future." - :
—" Ceoffrey fx Meredith, •
engaged |une 2008 .
Hebrew High students created “The Shark and the Fish ” board in hopes of
Gilad Shalit s imminent release.
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