Ha Ha Ha Hamas

I was born and raised a Jewish American Princess (JAP). That is not to say I was an ungrateful spoiled brat. It simply means I have been fortunate to live a good life. I grew up in a pleasant, unassuming American suburb with quiet streets and good people. I was blessed with a good family that had two cars, a nice home, private schools, fine clothes and family vacations. Despite all that, part and parcel of my upbringing as an authentic Jew, was to be aware of and helpful to the less fortunate, as we are taught to give minimum of ten percent of our earnings to charity and to visit and help the sick and downtrodden. My JAP existence was altered somewhat when I got married and had all the responsibilities that came along with being a wife and mother, thus making life more difficult.

A few years later my husband and I finally realized our dream and packed up our kids and made Aliyah. We arrived during the height of the second Intifada, but that didn’t deter us. We valued and appreciated Israel too much to live elsewhere. Americans and Israelis I encountered were dumbfounded by our decision. They couldn’t fathom how we could leave the safety, security, and comfort of America to put the lives of our family at potential risk and undertake the hardships of living in Israel. It was as clear as day to me why I did it then and even clearer to me now, as we face the ugly threats of Hamas daily.

I have always compared living in America to being a guest in a generous, rich man’s home. I was well fed and enjoyed many luxuries, but it was never my home. It was a very pleasant stay, but with my ancestral home under threat and attack I had return to her to show my love and devotion as well as my desire to protect and defend her.

This devotion has only gotten stronger with each rocket, terror tunnel and death wish of Hamas as they try to run us into the sea. Hamas believes they can weaken our resolve. Every bomb shelter selfie,  Jewish birth, wedding, song and dance proves otherwise. I am encouraged not only by our continued celebrations of life, but by the strength and courage of the families of our recent lost ones. I have listened closely to their words and seen their heroic actions. It is obvious that their support and nurture allowed their loved ones to devote their lives to a worthy cause.  I have never witnessed such dignity, faith and refinement in my life. It has shown me what it is to live a life of meaning and how to raise children with value and purpose. It proved to me that by moving here I have done right by my children. I have shown them to stand up against evil and not to run and hide from it. Hamas continues to somehow think they can shake us with their terror tactics. Every person they have murdered only serves as proof of how much we care about one another. We have now and will always continue to support, love and honor our brothers and sisters. We have proven to be fearless, standing proud with men on the ground, while they hide in tunnels and behind shields made up of women and children.

Hamas tries desperately to destroy democracy and rob us of our basic freedoms to live a safe, healthy, productive life. Our people are making Aliyah either despite or because of this. Islamic fundamentalists only serve to strengthen our commitment and dedication to our country. This was once again proven on August 12th, when a Nefesh B’nefesh flight of 338 immigrants from North America, including 108 new enlistees, landed in Israel during the height of this current conflict. They disembarked with smiles and pride having chosen of their own free will to defy Hamas and affirm our right to be here.

Hamas helped redefine what it means to be a JAP. Now I stand with countless other Jew’s who decided to reclaim our home. As princes and princesses we know we are children of the King. We come from the four corners of the earth to re inhabit our home. We have witnessed our Father making appearances now and again and we await His final return home. Ha ha ha Hamas we are here to stay and the the King is on His way.