On Wednesday May 7, 2008, the Sephardic Community Center celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut with a festive and joyous celebration commemorating Israel’s 60th anniversary.
After Arbit, the evening began with a ceremony in honor of Yom Hazikaron. Chief Rabbi Shaul Kassin began the evening with a blessing, followed by Bernie Hafif singing “G-d Bless America.” Emcee Joey D. Tawil said a few words before introducing the guests for the evening: “The 60th anniversary of Israel commemorates Israel’s fallen heroes who gave of their lives. Tragically, too many lives have been lost— 22,437. This Jewish statehood, Yom Ha’atzmaut, is a simple celebration of 60 years of independence.”
Gaining independence was not so simple. On May 15, 1948, Israel celebrated its statehood. That joy was short-lived when the Arab armies from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq declared war on Israel. From mid-May to mid-July, the critical phase of the war came the simultaneous, coordinated assault on the new State of Israel with an overwhelming superiority of heavy equipment—armor, artillery and air force. From then through the negotiated agreements that ended the war in 1949, Israel not only ejected the invading Arab forces, it also captured and held some 5,000 square kilometers over and above the areas allocated to it by the United Nations.
The first guest of the evening, Mr. Nat Mishan, remembered the critical time in which Israel became a state, “May 15, 1948 at 4:00 pm—that date will stay with me forever. Standing at the steps of the Sochnut on Sderot Rothchild near Allenby St. in Tel Aviv, I listened to the loud speaker announcing the Declaration of the State of Israel by David Ben Gurion.”
“Screaming in joy and happiness with thousands of people dancing around, the feeling in the streets was beyond belief. All of this didn’t last very long. Five Arab countries, aided by other Arab fanatics, declared war on Israel. Almost everyone in Israel was mobilized. My mother, may she rest in peace, sent all four sons to join the army. Her words were “be careful.” To my sorrow, we went as four brothers, but only three returned. I lost my youngest brother Moshe, who was only 18 years old.
Mr. Mishan spoke of his experiences in battle. We have his story, written in his own words.
Mr. Mishan was followed by Mr. Michael Shamah. “I light this candle in memory of three friends. They were ambushed in 1947 when the State of Israel was not yet born. I fought the Egyptian army when it invaded Israel, and we stopped the Egyptians.”
Before the next candle was lit, Hazzan Meir Levy sang beautifully with his grandson Meir Levy.
Mr. Joe Aboudi defended the town of Bet Eishel in 1948. Though he killed the commander of the Egyptian force on its way to Israel, they kept bombing for another seven or eight months until there was a cease fire. The State of Israel was greatly outnumbered by the Arab forces.
“It is a miracle that 45,000 kids could stand up and fight the Arab forces. I lost a best friend in 1948 and a nephew in 1967. I went to Israel at the age of 15 from France, and when I arrived in Israel I joined the youth movement. Israel is a miracle. We always say, ‘Next year we will be in Israel,’” said Mr. Aboudi.
Mr. Abe Mizrahi lit a candle for all the fallen soldiers. Mr. Joey Rahabi was then introduced. He attended Flatbush, and his family moved to Israel. He joined the Special Forces and the foreign diplomatic department. He said a prayer for all the fallen soldiers in the IDF. He went on to thank the committee in the Sephardic Community Center and all the congregations for their reflection on our community, for their commitment to Israel, and for their well-being in the future.
Joey Tawil thanked the president of the SCC, Jack Cayre, and Meir Levy sang Hatikvah, followed by joyous celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut. The evening could not have been made possible without Rabbi Ricky Hidary, Sheila Schweky, Joseph Salama, who chaired the event, along with their committee. The SCC would also like to thank Ahava VeAhava, Barkai, Beth Torah, Bnei Yitzhak, Har Halebanon, Kol Israel, Middlegate Securities, Ohel David and Shlomo, Sephardic Synagogue, Shaare Shalom, Sephardic Lebanese Congregation and Shaare Zion. Special thanks go to Zami Caterers, Almar Party Rental and David’s Restaurant.
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Randi Shomer is a community member, mother of four children, and a freelance writer for IMAGE Magazine.
