Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Israel Independence Day) provokes many emotions for me. I am astonished by Israel’s beauty, proud of Israel’s accomplishments, worried about Israel’s future, and dumbfounded by Israel’s miraculous existence.
For the past 10 years I have a Yom Ha’atzma’ut routine. I reflect on how great it is to be an American Jew. I ponder if there has ever been a better time and place to live as a Jew. And then, I try to understand how this became so.
My thoughts quickly turn to my Aba. I think, “Israel only exists because of underground soldiers like my Aba. And if Israel did not exist, what would it be like to be an American Jew?”
My father Joseph A. Poisson was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930 and immigrated with his parents and brother a few years later as Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. He was recruited to the Irgun at the age of 14 and fought with them and his fellow Israelis from 1944-1948. Then, as most members of the underground, he became part of the Israeli armed forces. He attended Yeshiva in B'nai-Brak, in addition to his secular education. In 1960 he moved to the United States where he married and now has 4 children and 16 grandchildren.
Growing up we never heard the war stories from my Aba, but about ten years ago, he wrote his life story up until the age of 18. He wrote it for his mishpachah (family) and he titled it Lev el Lev (From Heart to Heart.) I would like to share two excerpts from my Aba’s life in 1948, which have become part of my Israel Independence Day ritual readings.
The Conquest of an Arab Village: Yehudiye
Yehudiye was situated not far from the city of Lod, near the Ben Gurion airport. On May 3rd, 1948, I received orders to go out to battle in Yehudiye. The next day we had to report at 6.00 A.M. at our meeting place. Read more.
From the Seder to Jaffa
It was the eve of Pesach, the Seder. Our family was seated around the table, on the Seder-night of 1948, the Festival of unleavened bread and of freedom. We recited Kiddush; we thanked the Lord who has chosen us from all peoples and has raised us high above all nations and has made us holy by His commandments…Read more.
