On a drizzly Sunday morning in Niskayuna, NY, as my family and I were heading out the door to attend a picnic for my 20th high school reunion, a quick look at the news revealed that an Israeli soldier had been kidnapped. The date was June 25th, 2006. It’s been more than five long years since Gilad Shalit was taken across the border into Gaza. Five years of demonstrations, banners, tents and marches; a nation refusing to give up on the dream of bringing one him home. And tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, Gilad will finally be coming home. The price is painful, but in my opinion, Israel is doing the right thing. The current instability in the Middle East means that we may not have gotten another opportunity to carry out the exchange, and five years is a long time to be held in captivity.
In addition to the official negotiating teams, there was one individual working behind the scenes; one individual who made contact with someone from the other side and laid the groundwork for getting Gilad Shalit released. That individual was an American-born Israeli who grew up in the same youth movement that I did – Young Judaea.
Say what you will about youth movements, Zionism and the like, but Young Judaea helped to make me the person I am today. It taught me how to think critically; it taught me that there doesn’t have to be just one way to do things. And it taught me that together, we can change the world.
Clearly, it would seem that Gershon Baskin came away from the movement with the same sentiment, since it’s something he’s been trying to do in Israel for some time now. Indeed, according to what I’ve read, he’s the American-born, Young Judaean alum who played an instrumental role in putting together the agreement to bring Gilad Shalit home.
Changing the world was such a recurring theme for us that during one summer convention (the year escapes me – anyone?), we decided to make Arik Einstein‘s song “Ani Ve’ata” (“You and I”), the movement’s official song. In anticipation of Gilad Shalit’s expected homecoming tomorrow (I’m trying hard not to get my hopes up until he’s actually back in Israel) and the role played by one of my fellow former Young Judaeans, I’ve selected “Ani Ve’ata” for the very first Israeli Music Monday entry.
“You and I”
Lyrics: Arik Einstein
Music: Miki Gavrielov
You and I will change the world
You and I, and then everyone will come
They’ve said it before me
Doesn’t matter – you and I will change the world
You and I will try from the beginning
It will be bad for us; no worries, it’s not horrible
They’ve said it before me
It doesn’t matter – you and I will change the world
You and I will change the world
You and I, and then everyone will come
They’ve said it before me
Doesn’t matter – you and I will change the world
Nice one, Liza!
Great tune, great singer, great band. I was living in Tel Aviv when this was released/broadcast.