The Adams Street Shul

Dear Congregants and Friends,

I just received the e-mail reprinted below from my-son-in law, Zalman, from Efrat. As you will read, my grandson, Tzviki (known only as Tzvi in the army!) just received his purple beret. While this is, of course, a reason for personal nachat for me, I immediately felt the need to share this letter with you. On Tisha B-Av we mourn the horrors which were perpetrated against us in the nations of our dispersal for thousands of years. Now, finally, things have changed. Our people is living in a sovereign nation, defended by our own sons and daughters.

Tziki’s experiences bear this out in the most personal way.

Enjoy the report; take pride in our brothers and sisters in Israel and pray for a Speedy and Final redemption of our people and the world …

A Kumta Segulah for an Am Segulah

Last Thursday, the second of Av, we attended our son, Zviki's ceremony where he received his purple beret given to Givati soldiers upon completion of their first 4 months of army service.  Despite having just returned that morning from the States, we were determined to attend and be part of a group of very proud parents coming from all parts of the country.

The Givati brigade concludes their first 4 months by marching approximately 35 miles over hills and valleys and finishing near Massada.  As parents we try to understand what it is like to march in summer heat without collapsing totally, but in truth it is impossible to understand. At our age it is hard enough just to walk a straight path for a few minutes, let alone a steep hill.

At 7 o'clock (the army does things  on time just as they train their own soldiers to be on time) the ceremony began, and fortunately our son was right there in the front row facing us.

The first officer who spoke said that the purple beret was being distributed to an "am segulah".  I immediately recalled Rashi in parshat Yitro who explains that the word "segulah" means a beloved treasure.  And I realized how appropriate and meaningful the concept was.  Our son, Zviki, and his fellow soldiers were all part of Zahal-our defense forces.  For the better part of 1900 years we had no such defense and were subject to the whims of the host nations in which we lived.  And we were certainly not beloved.  But since 1948 hundreds of thousands of young men and women have undergone rigorous training for one reason only-to be prepared and ready to defend our country and our people.  They are-each and every one-a beloved treasure both to a nation and to G-d.

Although Zviki is our third son to serve in Zahal, he is the first one to be drafted for 3 years.  It is a long time for him, and it is also long for us.  But we can honestly say each day modeh ani to Hashem who has blessed us with a son who is totally dedicated to am Yisrael.  And every time he puts on his purple beret I will be reminded of the officer's words: a kumta segulah for an am segulah.

Zalman Eisenstock (a proud Abba)

Massa means march and Kumta means beret.