Shalom friends,

For centuries the story of the Maccabees provided hope to Jews scattered around the world. They who fought for Jewish rights and against all odds, who regained sovereignty and freedom from an oppressive empire, were the proof that, sometimes, the impossible is possible.

Even after Chanukah has come to an end, their heroism inspired countless other Jewish heroes to be the Maccabees of their time.

The qualities of the warrior spirit kept our people strong throughout history: the determination to fight although the odds are against us, adherence to faith and tradition when it would be easier to become Hellenized or adopt the culture and values of the people we lived amongst, and to hold on to our stubborn refusal to never give up on the dream of Jewish freedom both in our ancestral homeland and everywhere Jews live in the world.

The IDF soldiers that freed Jerusalem in 1967 were very similar to the Maccabees of 160 BCE. The lamed hey were fighting for Jewish freedom. The rescuers at Entebbe, flew halfway across the world because no one else would save Jews. Soviet Jews were freed as were Ethiopian and Middle Eastern Jews, by their own faith and determination and the help of Jewish heroes.

Today, in 2018, the Jewish State and global Jewish freedom cannot survive without our modern Maccabees. In Israel and abroad, the voices, commitment, and dedication of every Jew are needed in order to preserve our legacy and protect our rights for future Jewish generations.

These qualities have helped our People survive and flourish, even in the darkest of times. These are the qualities we need today, long after the candles are finished burning and Chanukah is behind us.

Every Virtual Citizen of Israel has the power to be a Maccabee today - to feel knowledgeable , engaged, and empowered. What kind of Maccabee do you want to be?

	THE REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM Witness through video the reunification of the Jewish people to our holiest site on earth, Jerusalem in 1967. READ MORE
	OUR NAME IS ISRAEL Rami Sherman can recall in great detail the day Jewish hostages were rescued from Entebbe,Uganda. He was part of the mission, and inspired Justin Amler to consider Jewish 'selection' then and now. READ MORE
	THIRTY FIVE HEROIC MEN Why is this hike called the “Lamed Hey”? What is the significance of Thirty-Five? Why is it historic? Why do thousands of teens give up a night to hike up barren hills in the Judean Mountains each year? READ MORE
	THE UNKNOWN HEROES: ISRAEL'S ROLE IN ACHIEVING FREEDOM FOR SOVIET JEWS Few are aware that Israel was instrumental in achieving freedom for Soviet Jews through the acts of individual heroes and institutionalized assistance in bringing Jews home to Zion. READ MORE
	ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS How many of us have ideals that we will go to that extent to protect? Do we even think about them, or are we too busy getting by another day, making enough money, studying for that test, eating that sandwich or reading that book? READ MORE

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