Shimon Peres: "Proud to Be Jewish"

In an interview with Liberal magazine, former President Shimon Peres shares his feelings as a Jew and the meaning of being Jewish to him:

"When I parted from my grandfather, Tzvi Meltzer, at the edge of the train station platform in Vishneva, Belarus, on our way to the Land of Israel in 1934, he looked directly into my eyes and said to me: 'Always remain a Jew - continue to be Jewish throughout your life and act as a Jew throughout your journey' - thus he set my future."

In 1942, eight years later, the words of Peres' grandfather became his will. The grandfather, who served as the town's rabbi, walked adorned in a prayer shawl, alongside his wife and eight other family members, into the wooden synagogue where, while holding the Torah scroll, the Nazis, may their name be erased, set the building on fire, burning them all to death.

"My grandfather's words, 'Stay Jewish,' were the last words I heard from him, and his face became for me over the years a symbol of Judaism. His will accompanies me throughout my life and my works for the State of Israel and the Jewish people."

A Jew is one who ensures that their children and descendants remain Jewish

"A Jew is one who ensures that their children and descendants remain Jewish. The Jewish spirit is what pulses in our bones and stimulates our minds to explore, break through, and find technological solutions that propel the world forward, alongside advanced medicines that provide relief for the suffering. This is how the State of Israel transformed into a "Start-up nation" from an arid land with a desert in the south and swamps in the north; we created a magnificent creation that stands at the forefront of global advancement and technology due to the human capital within it, the wonderful citizens, unparalleled creativity."

"The Jewish people are few among nations, but they are an eternal people. A people striving for a better world through *Tikkun Olam* so that no one will need to bear the mark of Cain, as it says, 'Kindness and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring forth from the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven' (Psalms, 85:11-12). This is how we shall remain and how we shall educate our children."

"I am filled with pride for being Jewish and for the Jewish spirit that pulses within us."