Star Trek and Israel

I marched yesterday on a sunny Sunday with thousands of others in the Israeli Day Parade celebrating the 61st anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

The crowds appeared to be larger and happier than in recent memory, perhaps reflecting that there is a new government in Israel, another in America, Israel is not at war...and there's hope for the future. For the fact is that Israel represents both the greatest tragedy and greatest miracle of the past century -- the Holocaust and, against all odds, the creation and survival of a vibrant Jewish homeland.

I walked with several friends and the family of Adena Berkowitz...her husband Rabbi Zev Brenner and a number of their children--12 year old Pamela, 9 year old Aderet and 6 year old Jessica, who would periodically chant "Say Hi to Mark Green," alternating with the Hebrew "Omer Shalom l' Mark Green."

The crowd was very friendly and responsive as shaloms and air kisses were exchanged between me and them. But what to do with my hands?

Yes, I'm waving an Israeli flag but do I wave back to all with a queenly motion, a grand thumbs up, a peace sign, a V for Victory? To vary things, I occasionally make the Vulcan salute from Star Trek. And then Adena, a scholar, informs me that, in fact, Leonard Nimoy, both Jewish and of Spock fame, was asked during filming of the original TV series to suggest a "salute" that could become a signature for audiences. It was he who came up with the current version known to Trekkies everywhere – two sets of fingers separated, with extended thumb -- but few know that it was based on the hand gesture a Kohen (member of the Jewish priestly class) makes to this very day when they stand in the synagogue on Jewish festivals and bless the congregation!

Later I hear a true story that a young grandson of a Jewish couple, while visiting a burial place of their ancestors in Eastern Europe, saw this hand sign on a tombstone, signifying it was the burial spot of a Kohen. Said the surprised and impressed little boy, "I didn't know our relatives were Trekkies!"

Shalom Spock! And happy birthday Israel -- may the force be with you! (Oh, right, different movie.)