Speaker. perhaps the most striking picture which for me best captures Israel at 25 is the view of a group of individuals patiently awaiting the arrival of the Egged bus. No. 15. to carry them home from their activities in downtown Jerusalem. Standing at the crowded terminal. amidst the heavy packages of groceries just purchased from the nearby shuk and the young mothers with children in strollers. all of which will also share space on this bus. one notices a tremendous crosssection of peoplethe Arab laborer who has tied back his headpiece during the hot noon hour. the 5yearold Israeli child whose school uniform remains bright and crisp. the Hasidic boy. in dark dress. hat and payechs speaking yiddish to his nearby schoolmate. the healthy. tanned Israeli woman soldier home for a days leave. the Nahal member returning to his border kibbutz. the Russian immigrant speaking excitedly in his broken Hebrew. a Moshav family in for a brief visit to the city. a Sabra returning home for his afternoon break from his job at the nearby bank. an oriental Jew beladen with fruits purchased at the Arab market and an American student trying to speak Hebrew while everyone else insists on practicing their Englishall these people trying to get on bus No. 15 whose driver is usually filled with laughter and jokes. knows many of them by name. addresses each young girl as Moteksweetand whose radio rings with music from Italy to Turkey to England to the United States. After a little squeezing and perhaps a little pushing and a few rather sharp corner turns. bus No. 15 is on its way. For Israel is her people. a people who possess an amazing directness and a firm. cleareyed approach to the overwhelming need for them to stand on their own two feet and who are keenly aware that only their strength. their courage and the preciseness of their decisions will determine the future of this land.
Keywords matched
immigrant