Magazine
I recently began thinking about the marking of time. Perhaps it was brought on during the start of summer, when I was thinking about busy schedules, plans, babysitting requests, travel, and more. Summer had just begun, and it already seemed like it was half over.
Judaism’s relationship to time is somewhat unique. Judaism uses time as a tool. In Judaism, time brings focus, structure, and meaning to our weeks (Shabbat), our years (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot), and our lives (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). Even the mourning of a loved one is marked by time…first 7 days, 30 days, 11 months, each year. Time, through Jewish values, becomes sacred. It is an opportunity to pause, to listen, and to connect with the enduring wisdom that has guided our people for generations.
As I travel around Israel, especially in these last two years during which we were at war in Gaza and “after” a war with Iran, I see communities that have been devastated, people who have been evacuated repeatedly, and individuals patiently waiting for the day when things become “normal” again. However, these people also understand that each passing day is part of a larger cycle—a journey from hardship to redemption. For more than a hundred years, Jewish National Fund-USA has played a vital role in transforming the land of Israel—from barren deserts into thriving forests, from arid lands into fertile fields, and from small villages into thriving cities. Our work embodies a long-term vision of growth, sustainability, and hope for future generations. A vision that requires time to realize and labor that takes time to bear fruit.
As I observe the ongoing development of the Kiryat Shmona medical center and the various phases of building the Galilee Culinary Institute, and as I review the plans for the World Zionist Village, people often say, “We can’t wait for these projects to open!” And I tell them, “Neither can we.” Yet, the process of building the infrastructure is just as important as the finished projects. Construction creates jobs. Growth fosters hope in the eyes of local residents as they witness these significant investments in their communities! So, yes, we are eager to reach the “finish line”—but let’s not lose sight of the journey along the way. Let’s continue to pause, listen, and connect with everything happening now and what will continue as we work to secure a future for all who choose to call Israel home. Let’s enjoy and honor the passage of time as much as possible, for it is just as sacred as reaching the destination.
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