{"id":620,"date":"2022-04-06T11:11:49","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T11:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alontal.brandale.co.il\/?page_id=620"},"modified":"2022-07-14T14:30:02","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T14:30:02","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alontal.org.il\/?page_id=620&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy did you join the Blue and White party? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Some twenty years ago I reached the conclusion that if one wishes to truly have a positive influence on the state of Israel in general, and the environment in particular, one needs to be involved politically. Today, I know this to be true. The question is: \u201chow\u201d? For years my view was that similar to Europe, it is best to establish a powerful green party that can join the government coalition and influence the national agenda.\u00a0 Back in the day, we created the \u201cGreen Movement Party\u201d and I ran for Knesset on its list. \u00a0 I learned from the experience that even the \u201cgreen\u201d Israeli public, that sees sustainability the central challenge on the country\u2019s political agenda will for the most part vote for large parties which are generally considered to be less esoteric and having better prospects for crossing the electoral threshold, in light of its being raised to 3.25% of the votes. It took a few years, but eventually I internalized this reality.<\/span><\/p>

When I heard that Benny Gantz was toying with idea of entering politics, I knew that I wanted to be part of the new party he was founding.\u00a0 I have known Benny for forty years. I knew that he offered the alternative that Israelis were looking for to Netanyahu leadership: An honest man, courageous, decent, ethical and moderate: a natural leader. His main messages \u201cIsrael before anything else\u201d with unity and reconciliation being the of imperative of the hour resonated with me.\u00a0 I also knew that Benny\u2019s love for the State of Israel included a commitment to the \u201cBeautiful Land of Israel\u201d and its preservation.\u00a0 I sensed that that I could contribute to the environmental vision and activities of the new parties.\u00a0 Most of all, it was clear to me that at this juncture in history, the state of Israel does not need parties that highlight the things that separate between the country\u2019s different \u201ctribes\u201d, but rather a party that brings us together and bridges the gaps between us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow did you meet Benny Gantz?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0The truth is that I first met Benny Gantz when I was 17 years old.\u00a0 The Young Judaea Year course in Israel that I attended included a period of time working on a farm, and I found myself adopted with a young family on Moshav Kfar Warburg: Shoshi and Elli Inbar and their children Orit, Kfir and Barak.\u00a0 I would wake early each morning to milk cows and work at different tasks. One day, Shoshi announced to me that we would be traveling in the afternoon for the Closing Ceremonies of her little brother\u2019s Basic Military Training.\u00a0 At the time, I had been in Israel for four months and I recall that I was forced to sheepishly ask her what the meaning of \u201cTiranut\u201d (Basic Training) was. We ultimately attended the ceremony near Hadera, and when it ended she introduced me to her brother Benny who had just finished finished the first chapter in what would eventually become a storied military career.<\/span><\/p>

At the end of the year, I thought that I might like to stay in Israel but my parents asked that I return to the states and delay my joining the Israeli army for a year.\u00a0 I agreed, and eventually after two years and a degree at the University of North Carolina I made Aliyah and was drafted into the IDF as a lone soldier in the Nahal infantry.\u00a0 When I reached the stage of noncommission officer and advanced training, by total coincidence my company commander was a very young and admired Benny Gantz. I was in the company with a group of lone soldiers from abroad and Benny made sure that all of us would complete the grueling six months as paratroopers in every way. And so it was.\u00a0 During the time I was a soldier under Benny\u2019s command I learned a great deal from example about being a competent soldier, leadership and most of all, values.\u00a0 More than once I heard my fellow soldiers in the company say that if our talented company commander doesn\u2019t one day become the Israeli army\u2019s chief of staff, then something in the system is wrong. In retrospect, it seems that the military promotion system works just fine<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat was the most exciting moment you have had since being elected to the Knesset?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Without a doubt, passing the 2021\/2022 budget after several days and nights of voting was an unforgettable moment.\u00a0 So many people were sure that this coalition, comprised of such different perspectives would never succeed to come together and agree on a budget. And \u2013 what do you know \u2013 we proved that the \u201cGovernment of Change\u201d and everything it represents\u00a0 – in terms of political leaders ability to listen and compromise for the good of the people and the state \u2013 was not a passing phenomenon.<\/span><\/p>

Along with that, my first meeting as chair of the Knesset subcommittee for environment and climate influence on health, the major conference we convened to announce the State Comptroller\u2019s Report About the Climate Crisis along with the preliminary vote in the Knesset plenary which approved \u201cThe State of Nature and Biodiversity Preservation Law\u201d that I had written five years earlier with my friend Uri Shanas \u2013 were also profoundly meaningful experiences.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Three magnificent daughters: Mika the eldest is completing her advanced degree in the U.S., in public policy and computational analysis with a focus on renewable energy;\u00a0 Hadas finished her bachelor of science in biology at Tel Aviv University\u00a0 and today is study for a doctoral in molecular biology at Yale; Zoe, our youngest, has completed her military service as a combat soldier in the Bardelas unit and is now traveling and figuring out what\u2019s next. Each girl has brought a wonderful partner with them to the family. In everything involving family: \u201cMy cup runneth over\u201d!<\/span><\/p>

Sometimes I am asked this question as not-so-subtle criticism, seeing that I am a well-known advocate for zero population growth.\u00a0 Invariably I\u2019ll answer that the inconsistency is duly recognized.\u00a0 I also add that when I started having children, the population of Israel was half its present size. But there\u2019s no question, that my own understanding about demographic stability being axiomatic to sustainability, has evolved over time.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Sports and Music: Ever since I was in junior high school I ran competitively. I continue to run every day, and also enjoy a weekly tennis game. Bridge and chess have recently made a comeback. I also started taking violin lessons at age 7 and continued throughout high school. At some point, I started playing other instruments. So today I play several (guitar, mandolin, fiddle) but none at a very high level.\u00a0 Apparently, I play well enough to remain a member of the Arava Riders, by now a veteran Israeli country ensemble, with my deal pal, Bill Slott from Kibbutz Ketura.\u00a0 We continue to give performances from time to time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat was your previous name and why did you change it?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I came to Israel after high school at age 17.\u00a0 Initially I worked in sundry branches of Kibbut Neot Mordechai and studied Hebrew.\u00a0 Until that time people called\u00a0 me \u201cAlbert Rosenthal\u201d after my late grandfather who died in an accident just months before I was born.\u00a0 On my last day on the kibbutz, my adopted father, Reuven Kamar, invited me to a one-on-one conversation.\u00a0 Reuven remains one of the most ethical people I ever met:\u00a0 a diligent apple orchard farmer for decades.\u00a0 Reuven was a man who took his work, Zionism and the Hebrew language very seriously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

He explained to me that before he made Aliyah in the 1930s, he was active in a Czech Zionist youth movement.\u00a0 At some point he had a counselor named Teddy Kolleck.\u00a0 Kolleck informed him when he was 14, that given the importance of reviving the Hebrew language, he could no longer continue with the name \u201cHerbert\u201d but that he would have to become \u201cReuven\u201d. And so it was.\u00a0 Lucky for me, Reuven Kamar, was more flexible than Tedy Kolleck. And so, he gave me two choices: \u201c<\/span>Abraham<\/span><\/i>\u201d or \u201c<\/span>Alon<\/span><\/i>\u201d.\u00a0 In those days, Teddy Kollek was something of a living legend: the all-powerful mayor of Jerusalem.\u00a0 I was impressed by this heritage and did not hesitate \u2013 choosing the latter.\u00a0 Years later it occurred to me that Kolleck himself, never Hebraicized his name. But by then it was too late.<\/span><\/p>

As for my family name: For about a decade I was known as \u201cAlon Rosenthal\u201d. When Mika was born, I consulted with my wife, Robyn Klein, regarding the baby\u2019s family name.\u00a0 We both agreed that one family name, without hyphens in the middle, would be better for the girl. Fortunately, Robyn was absolutely unwilling to consider the name \u201cRobyn Rosenthal\u201d.\u00a0 But at the time, my father had recently moved to Israel and Hebraicized his name.\u00a0 \u201cRobyn Tal\u201d, however, actually sounded reasonable to her. And so it happened that the whole family changed its name together.\u00a0 And from then on, Alon Tal roams about — happy and free.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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At a young age in the U.S. I joined the Zionist youth movement \u201cYoung Judaea\u201d.\u00a0 In 1977 I noticed that there was a new member who had begun attending activities in our region who was particularly lovely and bright.\u00a0 I was told that her name was \u201cRobyn Klein\u201d. As I had skipped a grade, I was about to finish high school and she was only in eighth grade. Even though there was only a three-year difference between us, in terms of a youth movement, we were separated by an entire generation.\u00a0 And still, we became friends.<\/span><\/p>

Four years passed, I moved to Israel and during my first year in the military I became ill and found myself in the Tel HaShomer hospital for several weeks.\u00a0 To this day I\u2019m not sure how she heard about it , but a letter arrived from Robyn that raised my spirits immeasurably. I wrote her back and it quickly evolved into a torrid correspondence.\u00a0 My little brother, Oren and her little brother David were fast friends at the time.\u00a0 They decided that this was an excellent match.\u00a0 In any event, during that summer, I received permission to have a \u201cLone Soldier Furlough\u201d in order to visit my parents.\u00a0 I loved my parents very much. But truth be told, the person that I really wanted to visit was Robyn Klein who had just finished high school.\u00a0 We went on a date and I was very impressed: she was an excellent driver.<\/span><\/p>

A month went by, and Robyn arrived in Israel as part of the gap year program of Young\u00a0 Judaea. Today, I find it possible to understand how a soldier in those days, with no cell phone, who wandered between remote training grounds in the periphery, succeed in courting a young, Jerusalem-based student. Perhaps, it can be attributed to passion and good luck.\u00a0 Whatever the reason, forty years later — we are still together.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Here\u2019s a shout out for CODA, an Oscar best picture nominee for 2021: the story of a young woman who loves to sing, growing up in a family with parents and a brother who are deaf and cannot apprehend her aspirations.\u00a0 As I see it, perhaps the greatest challenge of parenting is managing the separation — an ineluctable event when children grow up and need to leave. It is not easy to let go of the most valuable thing in your life and at the same time preserve a family that is strong and loving.\u00a0 This challenge is in the center of CODA\u2019s storyline, along with wonderful music and the protagonist\u2019s enchanting voice.\u00a0 I found it completely moving.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan you recommend a good book that you have read as of late?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The only time I have to read books is on Shabbat.\u00a0 In fact, most of my hours on Saturday are devoted to reading.\u00a0 From the past months, I can recommend three excellent books without reservation or hesitation:<\/span><\/p>

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