The world knows Anne Frank. Israelis also know another young woman named Hannah Senesh. Anne once wrote that people are “truly good at heart.” Hannah, who parachuted back into 1944-Nazi Europe, “knew many people aren’t good at all and tried to do something about it.” Author Matti Friedman offers this contrast in his award-winning new book Out of The Sky (P.88). The book’s publication date, March 24, couldn’t be more timely. I encourage you to meet him on March 26 here at KI.

Hannah was pragmatic. And she was proud of her people. And she was an idealist. These three things made her a Zionist. This week an inviting and futuristic view of Zionism appeared, highlighting these three core traits of Zionism: being pragmatic, particularistic, and idealist. 

These traits aren’t original to Zionism. They’ve been in our DNA since the birth of our people when God brought us forth from Egypt.

The second scroll in this week’s portions of Torah proclaims the forthcoming arrival of Passover. “You shall celebrate it as a Festival to God throughout the ages, for all time.” (Ex. 12:14) In other words, the Torah commands us to become the most consistent agents for liberation in history. 

That command is at the core of our dignity. Fidelity to it continues to bless us and urge us to bless others. 

“Strength isn’t sympathetic,” Matti writes. This has been a hard-learned lesson for good friends of Israel. Well, if strength isn’t, perhaps integrity is. 

Matti’s favorite image of Hannah, who is best known for a song that treasures the power of prayer, is of her on a library-ladder, reaching to select a book. It’s unclear which book she’s reaching for. 

Which book would you reach for that could be powerful enough to make you into a heroic voice for your people? For me, it’s Matti’s vital new book Out of the Sky. Why? Because it reinstates our story in ways that bring Torah to life. Am Yisrael Chai.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)