I was named in Israel

Atop Masada, at sunrise.

I took the name Shaina Miriam

And embraced the legacy of

My birthright,

Which goes back millennia.

I have sung in Israel

In the Negev, under the stars.

My brethren and I sang

Wonderwall and Oseh Shalom,

Save Tonight and

Am Yisrael Chai.

I have prayed in Israel

With my hands pressed against

The Western Wall,

All that remains of the Temple of old.

Riddled with bullet holes

Ancient and modern,

The Old City received my

Prayers for peace.

I have wept in Israel

For the plight of all affected by

Terror,

All who are caught in crossfire

When they would have peace

And safety.

I have spent time with

Palestinian children

And appealed to my Jewish peers

On their behalf.

I have shed tears for us all.

I do not live in Israel.

I cannot fight in their wars

Or vote in their elections.

I have precious little money to offer

In support of their needs.

But I can sing, and I can pray.

I can weep, and I can speak out.

For I was named in Israel,

And Israel lives in me.

Shabbat Shalom. Am Yisrael Chai.

Cover photo credit to me; I took this photo in January 2007 of the Israeli flag waving in the breeze as the sun began to rise atop Mount Masada, the morning I received my Hebrew name. Each time I am called to the bimah to pray, each time I am called by that name, it brings me back to the Holy Land. By my very name, I carry the Holy Land with me, wherever I may be.