Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate the Independence of the State of Israel.  59 years ago to this day on the Hebrew calendar David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the Jewish State; a state that would ensure the future of the Jewish people.  It has been our collective dream as a people, to return to our homeland…and for many this dream has become reality.

For me this dream has always been very prominent and the simple question was when…when would this dream become a reality?  When would be the right time?  How could I actually make that leap?  When would my physical body actually catch-up to my spiritual one?  I always knew that I should be there, not only for myself, but to be truly part of the Jewish people.  Knowing that there is no “right” time…I knew that the only time would be now - in just four short months from now my wife Janet and our three daughters Rebecca, Yara and Noa will make Aliyah and actually “move on up”.

I can tell you that this decision has not come easily.  As we approach the “A” day, we have many mixed emotions about leaving family and friends, but know that we must attempt to live our dream and give our daughters the opportunity to flourish in the Jewish State, interweaving with our history, our people, our culture, our Torah and our Land.

Many people understand our decision but there are still a few who just cannot comprehend why we are doing this – yes we are living in a wonderful society and a great community but something is just missing.  Call it old-time Zionism mixed with emotions that you just can’t explain…and this year, with tears of fear, happiness, hesitation and excitement, we will be making Israel our family’s home.

May we see Peace in Israel and among the nations of the world and hope for our soldiers being held captive by our enemies, to return home so that we can greet them by saying “bruchim habaim”.

See you all in Israel!

Stanley Morais,

General Manager, Canada

El Al Israel Airlines