                         Jewish Children
                 The Brightest hope for our Future
                     by Gary M. Cooperberg
                           June 1991
                                
       Today is my turn to do guard duty at the elementary school in Kiryat Arba.  It
would seem to be a dull and boring job.  Baruch HaShem, never has an Arab terrorist dare set
foot in this town.  As I sit here, on this beautiful spring day, unhampered by the every day
pressures of work, my mind is free to reflect upon the wonders which surround me here.
       I watch the little ones arriving at school, all excited and chattering in Hebrew. 
What a vibrant picture of the rebirth of my people and my country.  There is no place on earth
like Kiryat Arba.  The faith, strength, and chesed of Avraham Avinu still pervades the
atmosphere here.
       The children are taught by teachers who are all very special Jews who love the
Land, are Torah scholars, and have an intimate understanding of the fact that these youngsters
are the future of our country.  As such, they teach with a dedication and love seldom seen
elsewhere.
       Even kindergarten children emerge from school with more than knowledge; with a
strong emotional recognition of what it means to be Jewish.  How special it is to see little ones
beaming with Jewish pride, reciting their morning prayers with such feeling and understanding.
       And these children too know, instinctively, what Jewish values are.  If, for a period
of one week, we were to let these elementary school children run the country, I have no doubt
that, they would bring Mashiach.
       Rather than play political games, which are really lies, the children would cut right
through all of the phoniness and get right to the heart of the matter.
       They would not be impressed by paper promises, nor would they be intimidated by
strong armed threats by "friends" or foes.  They know that the G-d of Israel wants His people
to follow His commandments and that no good can ever come from violating them.
       How pure, how simple to just do what is right and trust in our G-d!
       I have no doubt in my mind that any second grader in Kiryat Arba can run this
country better than those who sit in our Knesset today.  They would have no problems
deciding what to do about our Arabs; about our Land; and about threats from the United
States.
       How beautiful are our children.  Why must they grow up to learn how to deceive
themselves?  Who knows?  Maybe these youngsters will be different.
         