President's Page

From the Greater Wilmington Jewish Community Yom Ha'atzmaut Festival (April 23, 2023)

Shalom and welcome to everyone who has joined us today for this special occasion. I am Amy Block DeLoach, the president of Bnai Israel Congregation, and I am honored to be here with you.

Today, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. This is a day of joy and gratitude, of pride and solidarity, of hope and resilience. This is a day when we remember the miraculous birth of the Jewish state out of the ashes of the Holocaust, and the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for its survival and security. This is a day when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Israel to the world, and its role as a beacon of democracy and innovation in the Middle East. This is a day when we reaffirm our connection and commitment to Israel, our homeland and our heritage.

We are not alone in this celebration. We are joined by our friends and partners from the Temple of Israel, United Jewish Appeal, and PJ Library and the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival who share our love and support for Israel. We are also joined by our brothers and sisters from across the globe, who are celebrating Yom Ha'Atzmaut in their own communities and countries. We are part of a global Jewish family, united by our common history, values, and destiny.

Today, we also celebrate our own Jewish community here in Wilmington, NC. We are a diverse and vibrant community, with a rich history and a bright future. We are a community that cares for each other, that educates our children, that supports Israel and other causes close to our hearts. We are a community that lives by the words of Hillel: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"

So let us enjoy this day together, as we sing, dance, eat, and learn about Israel. Let us thank God for the gift of Israel and the gift of our community. Let us pray for peace and security for Israel and all its neighbors. And let us say together: Am Yisrael Chai! The people of Israel live!

B'Shalom, 

Amy DeLoach