A Day Of Hope ROISMAN from page 32 decision. The break was necessary for all of us and gave some much-needed normalcy to a very ugly situation. But as awful as it was to see this incredible country in pain and in tur- moil, it was truly amazing to me to see how life continued: to sit at a seder on Passover night knowing that only a few miles away the world was watch- ing, yet another insane act of terror. Here, I sat with people who shaped this country, who fought in every con- flict from the War of Independence in 1948 until the present day. Here I sat with 92-year-old Safta Jenny, who came to Palestine in 1936 as a young Zionist from Germany. Here, I sat across from Col. Alon Friedman, my sister-in-law Anat's brother. His life is dedicated to defending Israel on a daily basis. The next day, he was back at the Lebanese border. I felt so lucky, so special to be among these amazing people on this truly unforgettable night. Every year at the seder, we ask, "Why is this night different from all other nights?" This year, when that •question was asked, I was overcome with emotion and realized that, in spite of any danger my daughter or I could possibly face, I knew I was where I belonged and where I had to be. ❑ rorism accountable. The Scottish ver- dict closes 13 years of litigation and permits families of the victims finally to press civil claims against Libya's government, with full U.S. govern- ment endorsement. "The president expects Libya to ful- fill [its] obligations," says the White House spokesman. "The court has spoken. It's time for Libya to act." Negotiations are indeed under way in Paris, with the families demanding more than $10 billion (or about $40 million per death). Together, these three developments suggest that Sept. 11 claimants are on solid legal, factual and political grounds in seeking compensation from the kingdom. Should Riyadh reject their claims, they can demand per death as much as the Lockerbie families, which would bring their claim to more than $100 billion. It's hard to think of a better way for ordi- nary Americans to help fight terror- ism than for the families victimized by Sept. 11 to bring home to the Saudis the costs of sponsoring this hideous behavior. 0 he morning after my return from the Israel rally in Washington, D.C., I realize the 18-hour whirlwind was a kind of Shabbat katan, a miniature Shabbat in which thousands of Jews who gathered before the Capitol build- ing had slipped into a parallel universe. The universe of this Shabbat katan was one in which Israel's right to exist was shouted from the rooftops. It was , a universe in which Orthodox Jews from Brooklyn cheered in unison with Jews wearing sky blue T-shirts pro- claiming, "Hoosiers for Israel." There were youngsters in kippot and college kids sporting dreadlocks. It was Klal Yisrael (people of Israel) come to life. Not since Refusnik days have Jews joined together in such numbers. A familiar irony: We seem to do this only under global threat. I was too young to march against Vietnam. When feminist Gloria Steinem and her cohorts burned their bras, no way would I immolate the teeny Maidenform I had badgered my mother into buying. But this rally I was not going to miss. I went because I was tired of e-mailing lawmakers. I was weary of T Debra B. Darvick of Birmingham is a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in the Forward, Moment, Haddasah magazine and other publications. After months of ranting at ranting at those TV reporters the TV, it felt terrific to join who haven't done enough with those who had come out homework to ask incisive ques- in support of Israel. I clapped tions. And I went to honor my till my hands smarted after grandfather Abe's memory. He, like other dedicated Zionists, U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Maryland, called for a ces- had had a direct hand in the sation of payments to the fam- founding of the State of Israel. DEB RA B. ilies of homicide bombers. I Highways were clogged with screamed myself hoarse when buses heading to the rally. D AR VI former N.Y. Mayor Rudy Word came via cell phone that Comm unity Giuliani proclaimed the truth the New Jersey Turnpike was a Vie ws — Jerusalem's Christian holy parking lot. We made it to the sites are safer under Israeli rule than rally with a quarter hour to spare. Muslim. Natan Sharansky, Elie Weisel, Blocks before approaching the West Binyamin Netanyahu. I hooted, shook Mall, we heard Hebrew music playing. both fists to the heavens and thor- Shivers raced down my spine the oughly relished being a part of Israeli minute I cleared the checkpoint and — and American — history. stepped onto the Capitol lawn. Would By the day's new light, I wondered, this rally occur anywhere but in America? Would any other country alternate its flag "What will the rally achieve? I realized the world still spun on an axis tilted with Israel's so that they both waved against Jews and the Jewish state. The proudly in the gentle summer breeze? Looking around, I was struck by the news media initially reported little else but booing at Deputy U.S. Secretary tenor of the signs. We rallied in sup- of Defense Paul Wolfowitz's recogni- port of Israel, not in denigration of tion of Palestinian suffering. Secretary Palestinians. No one waved a defaced of State Colin Powell was set for Palestinian flag. A few signs called another meeting with Arafat. The cur- Palestinian Authority leader Yasser tains on Shabbat katan have closed. Arafat a terrorist and a murderer. But for one glorious day, they were More numerous, though, were posters open. I was there. And so were tens of proclaiming American and Israeli thousands of others. unity against terrorism. These signs Grandpa Abe, I hope you saw us. Am were held by a people exhorted, since Yisrael Chai (the people of Israel lives). ❑ their inception, to choose life. . Perspectives on Israel: a continuing series CREATING SUICIDE BOMBERS • s r spokespeop le c tabrrgeee dr eac nt l Israeli ewhole generation of suicide bombers." They claim it is racist to think they have any responsibility for sending their kids to blow themselves up. Palestinian But Palestinian groups run a suicide factory. Arab-funded groups indoctrinate, train and equip the murderers who are made heroes and "martyrs" guaranteed heavenly rewards. They print posters and trading cards with their pictures, repeatedly broadcast their farewell videos, and parade their kids in the streets wearing repli- cas of explosive-belts. Tens of thousands of dollars are given to their families, who also become heroes. The Arab dictatorships use their controlled media to tell their peo- ple Israel is massacring women and children and attempting to destroy their holy sites. Jews and Judaism are demonized, and Zionism is identified as the world's biggest evil. They are told that all media are Jewish-controlled so they can only believe Arab media. They have never been told of the common humanity that we share, or the extensive concessions for peace that Israel has made. • • undoubtedly innocents have suffered. But it is the culture of hate and martyrdom promoted in the Arab world, not the Israeli reactions, that spawn suicide bombings and other terrorist acts. For more information about this topic visit, www.israel.orq Contact Congress today! Congressmen Joe Knollenberg and Sander Levin continue their strong support for the U.S.- Israel relationship, and work to pro- vide Israel with military and economic assistance. Our commu- nity needs to contact them to express our gratitude and support. Via mail: Congressman Knollenberg or Levin at : U.S. House of Representatives Washington D.C. 20515 Via e-mail: Congressman Joe Knollenberg: rep.knollenberg@mail.house.gov , or Congressman Sander Levin: slevin@mail.house.gov Jewish Commune Council zgefev=,,,„;' To learn more about how you can become an effective Israel advocate, visit www.jewishcommunitvcouncil.orq 4/19 2002 33