Happy birthday – I hope you have balloons

To celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday, the SA Jewish Report asked school children why Israel is important to us this Yom Ha’atzmaut. Here is a selection of their responses:

Celebrating its 75th birthday means the unity of Israel remains stronger than ever and that it remains our home, continuing to stay united as one safe space for all Jewish people across the world. – Meah Radford, Grade 11, King David High School Victory Park

Israel means determination and hope, it shows that the Jewish people stand strong and we always will. – Dina Scop, Grade 11, King David High School Victory Park

Israel means comfort. Like a mother with her arms open wide, Jewish people will always be safe in her hands. – Batsheva Richard, Grade 11, King David High School Victory Park

When I went to Israel, I wasn’t just connected spiritually but also with the people, culture, and most definitely the food! The warm breezy beaches and watermelon feta cheese bites are one of the simplest but best things about Israel all packed into one bite. – Judah Katz, Grade 7, King David Primary School Victory Park

Israel is a place where community is valued, and this creates a safe place where I can feel truly united with other Jews. Though Israel has faced many challenges in 75 years, the Jewish people have remained courageous and kept together. – Shira Magid, Grade 7, King David Primary School Victory Park

Israel is the home of the Jewish people. I went to Israel in 2019, and my favourite thing was riding electric scooters every day. I also love the Kotel! – Judah Silberman, Grade 5, King David Primary School Victory Park

Israel represents hope. In all the wars, we miraculously beat our enemies. It shows how strong and resilient Israel is because we’re celebrating its 75th birthday! – Keren Magid, Grade 5, King David Primary School Victory Park

Israel means peace, happiness, and love filled with lots of customs. It means that people have taken care of it for 75 years and it has grown so much over these years. – Sara Seeff, Grade 5, Yeshiva College Primary School

Israel is a safe place for Jews to go when their country turns on them. In my opinion, it’s the best place in the world. There’s a low chance Israel would get destroyed because we have been going for 75 years. – Josh Klotnick, Grade 5, Yeshiva College Primary School

It’s a place that I would love to go to because it’s where many Jewish people daven and live. It means that the Jewish people have had their land for 75 years, and hopefully, there will be many more birthdays! – Avidan Basserabie, Grade 5, Yeshiva College Primary School

Israel is a part of my identity. It has a very special place in my heart. When I think of Israel, I think of a place where I will always feel at home. Although I don’t live in Israel, I feel like I can always go there and be a part of the community. Israel’s 75th birthday gives me hope that Israel has been independent for this long, it’ll keep growing. It gives me a sense of passion because of what Israel has invented and how it has made a name for itself and all Jews in this world. – Elnatan Sosnovik, Grade 10, Yeshiva College High School

Israel is our safe haven, and it marks 75 years of freedom to be a Jew. It’s certainty that when the world turns its back on us as it did during the unforgettable yet forgotten horrors of the Holocaust, Israel will always be there to say, “Never again!” – Meira Feinblum, Grade 11, Yeshiva College High School

For the past 75 years, we’ve had the state of Israel, a safe haven for Jewish people, our own land with our own army protecting it. It’s incredible that we have achieved this milestone, and it should be celebrated for the miracle it is. Never again shall the fate of Jewish people be in the hand of others. Israel will always be there to welcome all Jews home with open arms. – Ayala Sifris, Grade 10, Yeshiva College High School

Israel gives a sense of security, not only to Jews living in Israel but Jews around the world. It’s inspiring that Israel has made it to 75, even though most nations don’t support a Jewish state. I feel honoured to be alive at this time and to be able to experience such an amazing simcha. I wish brocha and peace for Israel. – Ella Trope, Grade 11, Yeshiva College High School

I’m heading to Israel soon. I’m going to go to the shuk, and I’m going to write a letter and put it in the holes of a special wall. It means that we’re going to sing happy birthday, and we’re going to have a big cake. I hope we have balloons! Livia Wachsberger, 4 years old, Minnie Bersohn Pre-Primary School

In Israel, they speak words from the Torah, it’s called Hebrew. The flag has a Magen David, and is white and blue, and my favourite colours are pink, white, and blue. Israel is going to turn 75 years old and have a big party. Do you know that lots of people live there because it is the “house” of the Jewish people? – Aliyah Tucker, 5 years old, Minnie Bersohn Pre-Primary School

It’s a kind of a town that’s quite far away. There are quite a lot of Jewish people who live there. It means that Israel is turning very old like my dad, but he’s not actually 75, he’s 41. – Noa Berger, 4 years old, Minnie Bersohn Pre-Primary School

Israel is a city with quite a lot of buildings. I call it “The Promised Land” because Hashem promised it to us. – Logan Rosen, 3 years old, Minnie Bersohn Pre-Primary School

Israel is the home and heart of the Jewish people. When you step into Ben Gurion International Airport, it feels like you have just arrived home and everyone’s your family. Israel may just be 75 years old, but we are 3 000 years young. – Gilad Ancer, Grade 8, King David High School Linksfield

Israel is a monument to the fact the Jews have survived. – Benjamin Gulan, age 11, King David Primary School Linksfield

You feel more connected to Hashem. It represents how we fought for freedom. – Mia Freund, age 12, King David Primary School Linksfield

It’s the birthplace of my grandparents, and we have the right to live there. The country has kept its independence, and is still thriving. – Shaun Gewer, age 10, King David Primary School Linksfield

It’s a technologically advanced country. – Dean Shankman, age 13, King David Primary School Linksfield

It’s a special place where anyone can go at any time and experience life as a Jew. It’s meaningful that it has held its own and survived for 75 years. – Caiden Distiller, age 10, King David Primary School Linksfield

Reminds me of kindness and Judaism. – Joseph Katz, age 7, King David Primary School Linksfield

Warms my heart thinking of it. I remember all the people that died in the wars. – Levi Franklin, age 7, King David Primary School Linksfield

I think of the beautiful blessing Hashem gave us. – Riley Lipworth, age 6, King David Primary School Linksfield

Israel reminds me that I’m Jewish. – Jordan Levitan, age 7, King David Primary School Linksfield

It makes me feel honoured that Jews stood up for Israel. – Samuel Levick, age 8, King David Primary School Linksfield

It brings our Jewish family together. – Piper Cohen, age 7, King David Primary School Linksfield

It inspires me that lots of people do good stuff. – Grayson Behr, age 8, King David Primary School Linksfield

A celebration that the Jews have survived all the hard times. – Noah Klitzner, age 11, King David Primary School Linksfield

We have been a beautiful nation for more than 75 years, and we stand strong. – Mia Klitzner, age 11, King David Primary School Linksfield

We have had a safe place to live for 75 years, and Hashem has protected us. – Micah Rabinowitz, age 12, King David Primary School Linksfield