While there is no excuse for the International Olympic Committee’s decision to deny holding a moment of silence to honor the memory of the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches murdered 40 years ago at the Munich Games, it was thrilling to watch Alexandra (Aly) Raisman, the Jewish teenage gymnast on the U.S. team, perform this week to “Hava Nagila,” the traditional Jewish song of joy, at the London Games.
The sense of pride among Jews everywhere watching the performance was palpable, and a reminder that throughout history our people have found that survival and the pursuit of excellence are the best revenge against our enemies.
As the song says, “Come, let’s dance and be merry. Rise, brothers, with a glad heart.”
Aly’s message was clear: The people of Israel live.
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