The Flag
by Kate Deutsch
Tuesday marks the 59th anniversary of the State of Israel. It is a custom to hang the Israeli flag on our homes during this time of year, just before Memorial Day till slightly after Independence Day. And so it was on Friday that I found myself, on my extremely dusty (and dirty) balcony, tying a string of flags and trying to put up my big flag. It might have helped if I had a pole for my flag, or at the very least string. I ended up making do with a broom stick and some brown tape. As I struggled to position my flag in a flattering manner, I couldn't help but wonder - why was I doing this? My balcony does not face the street so really no one is going to even notice my flag. I'm not going to get any extra points towards heaven for this, and in fact as far as I could tell only one other apartment in my building hung a flag. I couldn't help but think - what was the point?
Later on, in the evening, I was coming home from my dad's and as I walked up the stairs towards my building I saw a wonderful sight -- my balcony with its string of flags. It was at that moment, with a huge smile of pride on my face, that I realized that I did not need a point.
Hanging the flag symbolized for me everything about my life in Israel. It symbolized my support of the IDF when they do right and also when I think that they do wrong. It symbolized my love of Israel even when I can't stand Israelis anymore. It symbolized riding the bus, and kids with guns, rogalach, and falafel, cars blocking sidewalks, dusty streets, holidays and family. But most of all the flag symbolizes my hopes and dreams, for Israel, for me. The flag, even mine, old and faded, is the icing on our independence birthday cake. It is the essence of our life here.
I hope our 59th year brings us some quiet, some peace, dignity and integrity, but most of all, I hope it brings us together.
To ask Kate a question - send an email to write@ttt.org.il
The views expressed in the articles and posts are those of the writer and not of
the Teen-To-Teen management and editorial board. To find out more about our organization or to make a contribution, please send email to Sarale at write@ttt.org.il
Support our sponsor David's Consultants RGA Ltd. All Rights reserved©, 1997-2008