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twice about persecuting 
and oppressing our Jewish 
LGBTQ family? Is it time to 
question Christian Zionists 
and our relationship with 
them? These are questions 
we need to wrestle with.
The second thing that 
LGBTQ Jews need is to 
stop being reminded that 
Israel is the only country in 
the Middle East where we 
have rights. We know that. 
However, at the same time, 
our Israeli LGBTQ friends 
are living with unease with 
a far-right government 
coalition where some 
coalition members have 
spread similar anti-LGBTQ 
venom. 
I work with an 
organization called “
A 
Wider Bridge,” which seeks 
to build a bridge between 
Israeli and non-Jewish 
LGBTQ communities. 
While we are fighting anti-
Israel propaganda in the 
queer community, we are 
also fighting against the 
rise of homophobia and 
transphobia in Israel. 
Please join us! Let’s have 
this difficult conversation 
and start working together 
to fight both homophobia/
transphobia and anti-
semitism! Let’s have these 
conversations in our shuls 
and in our communities. 
Your Jewish LGBTQ 
neighbors, fellow shul 
members, friends and family 
are hurting. Let’s listen to 
our voices even if some of 
what we say may make some 
uncomfortable. 

Sarah Dunn is a member of 

Congregation Shaarey Zedek and 

is active in the Detroit area LGBTQ 

community.

essay

IDF: A Journey of Courage 
and Determination
O

n May 31, we com-
memorated a pivotal 
date — the 75th anni-
versary of the creation of the 
Israel Defense Forces (IDF). 
This emblematic occasion 
marks a turning 
point in the 
history of Israel, 
a young nation 
forged amidst 
unimaginable 
trials and tribu-
lations.

THE BIRTH 
OF THE IDF AND ITS 
ENDURING LEGACY
In 1948, during a turbulent 
era, the newly formed nation 
of Israel found itself at a 
crossroads between conflict 
and hope. The specter of the 
Holocaust still loomed over 
the Jewish people, making the 
need for defense a matter of 
survival. Thus, the IDF was 
born, an institution that has 
been the guardian of that hope 
for these 75 years, a beacon of 
strength and resilience, assur-
ing Israel’s sovereignty and the 
safety of its people.

STORIES OF VALOR 
AND SACRIFICE
It is with deep emotion that we 
remember the countless stories 
of valor and sacrifice, of sol-
diers who faced unimaginable 
adversities without hesitation, 
defending their homeland. 
Men and women who, some-
times paying a high price, 
fulfilled their duty with honor 
and determination, ensuring 
that future generations could 
live in freedom and security.

HEROES OF THE PAST 
AND THE FORTITUDE 
OF THE IDF
The heroes of the past, from 
the War of Independence to 
Operation Entebbe, the Six-
Day War, and the Yom Kippur 
War, personify the ideals of 
courage, resilience and person-
al sacrifice that are at the heart 
of the IDF. But this anniversary 
is not just a celebration of the 
past; it’s also an opportunity to 
reflect on the present and the 
future.

THE IDF TODAY AND 
FUTURE CHALLENGES
Today, the IDF continues to be 
a pillar of defense, an exempla-
ry body of dedicated men and 
women who, despite constant 
threats, remain vigilant and 
ready to protect their people. 
We face a future with new 
and unpredictable challenges. 
In an increasingly digital and 
interconnected world, secu-
rity threats have evolved and 
diversified. However, the rich 
history of the IDF gives us faith 
in Israel’s ability to adapt and 
confront these new threats.

A FUTURE OF HOPE 
AND DETERMINATION
As we celebrate this 75th anni-
versary, we also look to the 
future with hope and deter-
mination. Hope for the pur-
suit of a peaceful solution to 
the conflict that has plagued 
the region for decades, and 
determination to ensure that 
Israel continues to thrive as 
a bastion of freedom and 
democracy. 
 Today, we pay tribute to the 
brave men and women serving 
in the IDF. We remember the 
past with reverence, honor the 
present with gratitude, and face 
the future with courage and 
determination. Here we are, 75 
years later, still standing strong 
and free. Congratulations to 
the IDF on its 75th anniversa-
ry. May the light of hope con-
tinue to illuminate the path to 
a future of peace and security. 
Mazel Tov, IDF! 

David Elmescany is the founder 

of the “Viva Israel” project in 

Portuguese, dedicated to bringing 

the various aspects of Israel to 

Portuguese speakers.

David 
Elmescany
Times of 
Israel

IDF TWITTER