Leona Fallas
Age 13
Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy
Mrs. Goldberg
Beverly Hills, California
I Love Israel
Looking through the window, I was overwhelmed by what I saw. There were young children playing in the
streets, free and alive. That day was Israel’s 60th birthday, and my 80th. It has been a turbulent eighty years,
and I remember it all. It has been so rewarding to watch Israel develop and grow, as have I.
I have lived in Israel my entire life, although it was not always called Israel. My family has lived here for ten
generations before me. For the first twenty years of my life, it was Palestine, a dangerous and fearful place. I was
born here in 1928, and I will die here when my time comes because Israel is the holy land promised to me from
the Bible.
Until Israel became a state, it was under English rule and constant attack by Arab countries. The English
restricted the amount of Jews allotted into the country and redirected the rejected people to camps on Cypress, a
small island near Palestine. When I was nineteen, my brother joined the Hagana opposing the English and
protecting the Jewish people who lived there. I was impressed by my brother because the Hagana fighters were
expertly skilled and courageous. My oldest cousin joined Hagana B, otherwise known as the Irgun. Daily, they
risked their lives to fight for the safety and future of the Jewish people. My entire family did their best to support
the growth of the country, and because our Lebanese cousins supported us with extra money, we could support
our people. Fighters in the militia were constantly persecuted. My Aunt Victoria would patrol the streets with her
huge truck and pick up anyone in need. She would also collect the bodies after a British bombing, and she made
sure they were buried promptly and properly.
I have watched this country grow and develop, and I actively feel a part of Israel’s existence. Every Jew who
fought in the militia is personally responsible for the Jewish state we now have; any person who settled in Israel
helped it prosper.
November 29, 1947, was the happiest day of my life; that day we were informed that Israel would became a
country. At age nineteen, I sat with my ear glued to my radio, awaiting the announcement of the U.N’s decision. I
have never felt such pride as the moment it was announced that Palestine would be split into two countries: one
Arab and one Israeli. I ran into the streets to dance and sing with my family and friends. Of course, it was a
difficult battle to keep our country because the Arab countries tried to take it away, but we prevailed, and now we
safely live in Israel and visit Jerusalem.
Israel has gained great success for such a young country. We quickly established an official army and
government because it was required of us. After establishing the economy and building homes, we began
scientific research, and we are now recognized as the most industrialized country in the Middle East. Israel has
even been honored with an invitation to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Israel is self-sufficient agriculturally, and successfully exports pharmaceuticals, software, chemicals, military
technology, and diamonds. You may ask why this is important to me. I will answer that it proves Israel’s self
sufficiency. The tiny country that nobody thought would succeed is now leading in technological advances and
exporting expensive items, insuring its financial longevity and economic growth. This proves we can overcome
other’s expectations and become successful. I am honored to live in such a country.
And looking out this window, I’ve never been so proud. Israel, a Jewish paradise where everyone is welcome, is a
reality. This is my home as well as your home, and we can all live here together, free and proud. Because of this,
I love Israel.