We Have Lots to Smile About

The Jewish majority is winning -- and it doesn't even notice! The settlements in Judea and Samaria are growing faster than in any other area of Israel. Many of the settlements have absolutely no room for new families. A new and vigorous generation has grown up in the settlements. Most of them choose to remain in Judea and Samaria after they marry and start their own families. The youth, inspired by the Homesh activists, stubbornly cling to the outposts that they put up on Sukkot and are planning more outposts for Chanukah. A steady and determined group of youth has managed to remain in Homesh since the summer. We are also winning the demographic race. Slowly but surely, the Jewish nation in the Land of Israel is awakening. The birthrate of religious Jews is higher than the Arab birthrate and the general demographic picture is now in favor of the Jews. And most importantly -- our Jewish identity. 83% of the Jews in Israel will be lighting Chanukah candles throughout the entire eight day holiday. These statistics reinforce the yearly Jewish identity polls that show Israel's Jewish identity to be constantly on the rise. "When I began to study Judaism," a once-secular friend recently told me, "my friends were convinced that I had gone off the deep end. Now, if you are on the trendy Sheinkin St. and you don't learn Judaism, you are simply not 'in.'" The Jewish majority is winning! It clings to its homeland and to its identity, its enemies' numbers are diminishing while its own numbers are increasing! Just as during the historical Chanukah, the battle seems to be against Israel's enemies. But the real battle is for the soul and leadership of the large and healthy Jewish majority in the Land of Israel. On that front as well, Manhigut Yehudit is progressing by leaps and bounds. Moshe Feiglin has almost nightly meetings with Likud members throughout Israel, and the positive feedback is tremendously encouraging. We are sure that when election time comes, much of that support will turn into votes for Jewish leadership for Israel!