Singing in Awed Silence

Just last night …

We stood together with thousands upon thousands.

Singing, praying, hoping and crying.

Awestruck.

By three women who in the same moment, the same breath, were both terrified mothers and noble beacons of clarity, love, and inspiration for us all—

Am Yisrael.

Just last night …

We stood together with thousands upon thousands.

And millions more who could not be there.

Singing, praying, hoping and crying.

Awestruck.

By the stirring beauty of mamlechet Kohanim, v’goi kadosh; by the majesty of Am Yisrael, a kingdom of priests, and a holy people.

And now tonight …

We stand together with one family.

Singing, praying, hoping and crying.

And with three mothers and three fathers; with young brothers and sisters, with grandparents, cousins and neighbors. With people just like us.

Broken.

And tomorrow …

We will stand.

Together.

And choke with tears, as we sing and pray and hope and cry.

Am Yisrael.

Chai.

Gil’ad. Eyal. Naftali.

Y’hi zichram baruch.

About the Author

Shimon Apisdorf is the founder of Operation Home Again, the first organization solely devoted to community-based Aliyah. He has also authored ten books that have sold over a quarter million copies and have won two Benjamin Franklin awards. The Apisdorf's made Aliyah in the summer of 2012.