Today a ceremony was held at end of an Ulpan course for 300 new Israeli soldiers, all lone soldiers from countries around the world.
They were smiling, in spite of the situation.
I was smiling because our true protective edge is the brains and talent of these young people.
My son-in-law got called up for reserve duty, not smiling so much here as Operation Protective Edge edges closer to home.
Photo credit: Jesse Nowlin
For some reason, the picture makes me think of that famously poignant song from “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don’t remember growing older.
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn’t it yesterday when they were small?
Some of the lone soldiers are older than 18, but yes that song does seem appropriate.