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U.S. - Israel covenant story has been forgotten to the next generation of leaders in whose eyes a covenant relationship never existed between the US and Israel. The GI Generation born 1914 - 1927 and especially the Builder Generation born 1928 - 1945 failed to pass information onto Boomers born 1946 - 1964 and as a result our current Gen X Y and Z leaders unbriefed, govern without the knowledge of US-Israeli covenant especially regarding foreign policy. It's reasonable to expect notable cleavages to issues, parties, in political attitudes and political beliefs between generations, attitudes developed while hanging out at the kitchen table as a family where the next generation could decide they were for or against U.S.-Israel covenant. It seems not much was said or not enough was discussed to make an impact on the next generation.
More specifically, the Builder generation failed to transmit the existence, importance and particulars of the U.S. Israeli Covenant especially since the covenant was implemented in 1949 a year after Israel became a nation. Concerning U.S. - Israel Covenant, the Builder Generation was silent possibly not knowing enough about their new friend and ally.
What the next generations may have failed to learn has caused us to frame a relationship with Israel that is modern or post covenant! The GI Generation, Builders and Boomers failed to share the existence and importance of the Covenant Israel has with the United States. This relationship known as 'artzot habrit' coined by Mendele Mocher Sforim in chapter 17 of his 1868 novel "The Fathers and Sons" is the central incentive to US-Israeli relationship and foreign policy.
Artzot Habrit, which translates 'Lands of the Covenant' referring to the individual contiguous states which comprise the United States according to Rubik Rosenthal. At the time of the renewal of the Hebrew language 1948-1949, various words were used to obtain an accurate translation of the term "United States", such as M'dinot M'uchadot, Medinot a plural word meaning lands or differing in language and M'uchadot meaning united.
But the term 'artzot habrit' struck a chord with Hebrew speakers because America like Israel placed a high premium on law as did Israel, both countries sharing the same value system. Artzot means 'Lands' Ha is a definite article 'the' and Brit means 'covenant.'
The strong feelings towards America was described perfectly because "Brit” means covenant and is also the word used for “circumcision,” a solemn covenant in the flesh between God and the descendants of Abraham to honor Torah just as America would honor the Constitution..Israel and the United States realized they shared the same values even though there is a difference in our religious beliefs.
The Builder generation in Israel and founders felt so strongly about the United States that they made the term official when implementing Ulpanim in 1949 an intensive Hebrew language program for new immigrants usually housed within Absorption Centers. Since 1949 the United States has been known and officially translated from English to Hebrew as 'artzot habrit' land of the covenant - singular - recognizing the individual states became the United States of America.
Because Generations X Y and Z did not get the memo regarding the warm friendship and covenant between Israel and the United States these cohort groups who are currently in leadership in many disciplines such as politics, academia, media, the arts, business and technology implement policy disregarding covenant principles and omitting behavior consistent with being friends, exercised innocently. The result is a tepid relationship.
What the next generations may have failed to learn and that was not transmitted to them affects foreign policy making, leaving generations 'builders and boomers' puzzled at our Israeli - U.S. relationship and cohorts Gen X Y and Z wondering what the 'big deal' is about the U.S. and it's relationship with Israel.
There is evidence America's friendship with Israel precedes 1949 indicated in a letter written by George Washington to Moses Seixas, Warden of Touro Synagogue in Newport Rhode Island as early as August,1790 where George Washington expressed the wish that ….”The children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree.”
The Patriarch Abraham was respected by God because he exhibited the character traits of training, coaching, role modeling and passing on to his children social values critical to strengthening society as a whole. Genesis 18:19 "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
Social sustainability is crucial because we must pass on critical sustainable sets of values to the next generations. Missing this critical step will make all the work accomplished by one generation go up in flames, making all our efforts meaningless. Missing this critical step is devastating to families, belief systems, domestic issues, foreign policy issues because another generation will have to build again instead of building upon and going further. Missing this step by way of mentoring causes long-term delay whereby reaching goals in 3 generations may now take up to 10 generations to reach foreign policy, domestic or personal goals.
Israel and the United States have been friends and allies for over six decades regardless of its relational ups and downs, lukewarm feelings and disappointments nevertheless a firm re-commitment to artzot havrit - U.S. Israeli covenant, a reminder of our shared values will allow both countries to reach the next levels globally moving forward together as friends rather than without each other.
Definitions of Generation Cohorts are as follows:
G.I. Generation: born 1914 - 1927 - they are disciplined, respect law and order and they like consistency dislike change have fixed views on gender like command and control management style in leaders.
Builders: born 1928 - 1945 - Silent Generation. They highly value security, comfort, familiar activities and environments.they possess the best work and education opportunities because of the post-war economic boom.
Baby Boomers: born 1946 - 1964 - This cohort is the largest population of any generation. When younger they were open-minded and rebellious but evolved into being conservative in their 30’s and 40’s. Status and social standing are important to this cohort optimistic, ambitious, very loyal, possess employment is for life attitude. Are “workaholics.”
Generation X: born 1965 - 1979 - Saw both parents working, sent to daycare, saw parents divorce, “latchkey kids”. Well-educated having secondary and tertiary qualifications resourceful, individualistic, self reliant with low trust of authority. Contrary to Baby Boomers not interested in employment for life. When at work focused on relationships, outcomes, their rights and skills. Will leave a job if they are unhappy.
Generation Y: born 1980 - 1994 also known as Millennials - Millennials are very good with technology, comfortable in diverse ethnic groups. Similar to GI Generation in the areas of optimism, confidence, sociable, strong morals and like civic duty. They aren't loyal to any specific brand. They expect a professional workplace demand flexibility and change employers for promotional opportunities more frequently than Gen X’s.
Generation Z: born 1995 - 2009 - Cannot conceive life without the internet, computers and mobile phones. Communication is mainly through online communities and social media such as Google, MySpace, Twitter and Face Book rather than face to face relationships. Ability to belong to huge social media communities without knowing anyone personally. Public speaking not their preference.
Generation Alpha: born 2010 - 2025 - not yet in the work place.
