My Daughter, the Soldier–No Longer
Next week my 21-year-old daughter, Maayan, will be discharged from the Israeli Air Force upon completing her 2 years of military service. In honor of this momentous milestone, this morning Josh and I and some of our kids attended Maayan’s going-away party at her base along with around 30 of her friends, coworkers and commanders.
Josh and I were deeply moved to hear Maayan’s fellow soldiers describe the various ways in which Maayan had contributed to Israel’s security during her service. This was especially emotional for us because on the wall of the room where we sat hung a photo of an Israeli fighter plane flying over Auschwitz.
Sitting in that room, under that photo, among these incredible, dedicated young people, I was reminded of a friend’s reflection after visiting her oldest son at his IDF base: “It shook us up to realize that Israel, and the lives of half the Jews in the world, are standing on the shoulders of 19-year-olds.”
After the soldiers had shared their best wishes for Maayan, it was our turn to speak. And after Josh spoke, here’s what I said:
“Maayan is named Maayan because she was born on Lag BaOmer. We remembered that Hashem made several miracles for Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai. And one of those miracles was that he created a Maayan (spring) in the cave to provide water for Rebbe Shimon and his son over the many years they were hiding there from the Romans.
“When Maayan was born, we thought of Rebbe Shimon’s Maayan, and the challenge of remembering that that spring was a miracle after a week and a year and several years and many years. So too when a baby is born, it’s so clear to the parents that this baby is a miracle, but we hoped that the name Maayan would remind us to remember. Would make it impossible to forget that this girl is a miracle at a week old and a year old and today and always.
“Sitting here today, listening to your stories about Maayan’s contributions to Israel’s security, I am in shock. Especially with this photo of Auschwitz hanging over us. Knowing that Maayan has grown up into a young woman with the skills necessary to help protect Israel from its enemies, with God’s help. Maayan, we are so incredibly proud that you are our daughter. Our miracle girl.”
