Crucial Reading, Viewing and Hearing About Israel

(Jewlicious)

Daniel Gordis writes:

...to all those who are wringing their hands about Israeli intransigence and inflexibility, on this eve of Israeli Independence Day, a brief word about nations, and states, and purpose. For without understanding purpose, there's no understanding Israel.

Read the rest.

Watch IDF soldiers speak out about their experiences here.

And then, go over to Judy Lash Balint, who shares her insightful, moving POV on Memorial Day in Israel.

Here are several original items I've reported over the years about life in the Israel Defense Forces, and living with terrorism in Israel:

Inside the IDF: A Soldier's Story

Hear: Surviving a Suicide Bombing

Hear: Novelist Naomi Ragen: Writing in the Shadow of Terror

Hear: The mother of slain IDF soldier Nachson Waxman speaks out

Go here for more on my reporting, and how you can help keep it going.

And tomorrow:

On Wednesday, April 29 at 10:50 p.m. Israel time (3:50 p.m. EST, 2:50 p.m. CST, 12:50 p.m. PST), communities around the world will join together to sing Israel's national anthem Hatikva in honor of the 61st birthday of the State of Israel.

Live Hatikva will be broadcast around America and on the Internet streaming live at www.jltv.tv.

Israel At 59: Megadeath, Hip-Hop Hatikva, 'Human Beat-Box' & Dudu Fisher

There. That got your attention.

Click the flag.

Also from Ynet News, other artists do Hatikva:

• Teapacks

• Zehava Ben

• Rivka Zohar

• Daniel Zamir

And, of course, while we're talkin' odd musical covers in the national anthem, why not try out Megadeath guitarist Marty Friedman, from a recent gig in Tel Aviv:

Happy 59th.