"Shalom, Sivan. This is Efrat Badihi. I had the privilege of being part of the group that established the Moshav Keshet community in the Golan Heights. Just as Purim was over, the news came in: The United States will recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan. Just like in the plot of the Book of Esther, the events are dizzying, confusing, but eventually lead to good things. Indeed, here and there in our community you can still find the old sticker: "העם עם הגולן" ("The Nation is with the Golan"). And here, suddenly, it is not just the Nation who is with the Golan - other nations are with the Golan. We do not need their official recognition to know that this is our home, but we are happy that the world is starting to acknowledge the truth. When Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, Rabbi Kook said: ‘We do not thank the British nation. We bless it for having the privilege to acknowledge the truth.’ And the truth is, that it is not just about Israel's existential need in security. It is much greater than this: Our blessed sovereignty here has redeemed a piece of land which had known nothing but showering blood, fire and pillars of smoke. Our arrival here "worked the safety" of the blessings of heaven and earth, and the Golan started "speaking" orchards and vineyards, communities and cattle herds, green electricity and serene beaches of the Kinneret. All of this had been dormant here for ages and ages under the basalt. All of this had been waiting for us since the days of the Tribe of Menashe, since the days of the Mishnah and Talmud. We are back. Shavua Tov from the Golan."
