Ethan Kovnat

Confirmation Service

– Ethan Kovnat, May 20, 2018

I have never been to Israel but I have always felt a great connection to the country. I suppose I have always believed that I, as a Jew, have a certain claim to Israel and it is my duty to stake that claim. People have told me that Israel is a wonderful place, and it is one of my dreams to someday fully realize that claim to Israel that all Jews have by traveling there.

All this being said, it is vital that Israel hold true to the ideals of the Jewish people. While the country certainly faces a great number of challenges, Israel cannot falter from its mission to be a Jewish homeland that we can all be proud to call our own. Israel must strive to be a beacon of hope and compassion, not only for the Middle East, but for the entire world.