By Efraim Chalamish
This past week brought us the unique opportunity to observe two very different events and occasions that happened to take place on the same day — Tu Bishvat and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. One is nature’s New Year in Judaism and the other commemorates the unprecedented events of the Holocaust and their role in the international community. While these two very distinct events have very little in common, this coincidence of time and place projects important developments in Israel’s rapid growth as a sovereign nation and its role on the global stage. And the lessons should be applied to other Israeli and Jewish events moving forward.
Tu Bishvat is originally a Jewish holiday that celebrates the birth of the trees. Israeli kids historically are heading to nature on that day, planting their first seeds. The holiday not only symbolizes the renewal of nature, but also the unique role of trees and the environment in the Jewish tradition and its culture. Jewish patriarchs, matriarchs, and thought leaders used trees to dream and grow for generations.
Yet, the nature of Tu Bishvat has changed over the years. It was the first birthday of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, which became a symbol of modern democracy, despite its weaknesses and challenges. It also introduced the concept of environmental preservation and ‘climate change’ to new audiences in Israel and the Jewish community around the world. Most importantly, though, it took particular Jewish events and turned them into a universal message, presenting the meaning of the day to the wider global community.
Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) has been mainly an internal Israeli event. Commemorated in Israel and Jewish communities around the world in April every year, it became an international event in 2006 when the United Nations announced the new International Holocaust Remembrance Day to be marked on January 27, the date of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army.
Following advocacy efforts by various organizations, which I had the opportunity to be part of, the leadership of the United Nations and the international community concluded that it is the right moment in history to turn the memorial day into an international day, educate next generations in every country and religion, and project the importance and relevance of the horrific events to today’s world. While for years the Holocaust has been perceived in some circles as an internal Jewish element, now the universal message has been delivered loud and clear.
The transition of Tu Bishvat and Holocaust Remembrance Day should have a special meaning to us. They represent a dramatic change in the way Israel defines itself and projects its role in and to the world.
The story of Israel as a startup-nation resonates with broader audiences globally since it shows how you can take internal challenges and convert them to innovation and technological solutions that change positively the world completely, one app at a time. It also brought Israel to the forefront of impact investing, social investments, and Tikkun Olam.
Yet, it is not only Israel’s technology that can take a national narrative to the universal stage in order to re-define Israel’s role in the world. The Jewish and Israeli calendars are comprised of many dates, events, and themes that can be shared with the world to give them current meanings and modern applications.
The benefits are many. While some groups question the importance of these holidays and events even within the Jewish community itself, a universal messaging helps them understand their broader context. Moreover, it provides more opportunities for Israel as a sovereign nation to contribute to the most cutting-edge discussions in the world today, from health policy to security. Also, similarly to the U.N. example, it can create additional forums where leaders from around the world can connect on these key issues, where Israeli diplomacy plays a meaningful constructive role.
The Abraham Accords and consequent agreements between Israel and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, also reflect this change. Listening carefully to the region’s leaders and reading the relevant texts, the agreements reflect not only a new regional strategic order, but also a deep understanding between religions that can be used to surface key issues in inter-religious dialogues, and can be relevant to other religions and crises around the world.
The world of trees met the world of European and World history in a week that reminded all of us of the power of universal relevance and messaging of Jewish and Israeli events and values. We should all continue and explore ways to bring this unique voice to the world. I have no doubt it will be heard. The world is listening.
Dr. Efraim Chalamish is an international economic law professor, advisor, and media commentator. He has been involved in international legal practice in New York, Paris and Israel, along with research in, and analysis of, cutting edge areas in public and private international economic law. Dr. Chalamish teaches at NYU Law School.