Video: Jtube: Gene Simmons Family Jewels

Published: August 20, 2011

Can Israel really be called "Home" when you don't live there?

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Visitor Comments: 26

(23) JLaLone, August 25, 2011 7:18 PM

Once there, it is home forever

I visited in 1999. I had been working for Hospice and realized I should not put off something I desired so much. It has been home ever since. I felt close to Hashem, in shul, in Safed, Masada, Jerualem at sundown. It was the ultimate "falling in love." I would live there if I could find a way.

(22) Linda G, August 25, 2011 4:54 PM

Geen Simmons getting award in Haifa

For all Jews, everywhere, Israel will always be home. If not physically, at least in our hearts. There is a very deep yearning to be there.

(21) Catheirne Sarah Manna, August 24, 2011 11:43 PM

That was very nice!!

This was very nice, one of the most honorable things he ever did, to aquknowledge who he really is!!! and that is beautiful!! it is never too late to realize when you are one of Hashem's children, and reallly mean it from the heart!! brought a tear to my eyes...beautiful!!!

(20) Anonymous, August 24, 2011 8:40 PM

I Miss the Home of My Heart

I returned from two months in Israael yesterday. As I watched the video with scenes of Israel, my eyes filled with tears. Israel is the home of my heart, and, finally realizing this after several visits, I've decided to make aliyah. Israel will then be the home of my heart, my body and my soul.

(19) Nisan5702, August 24, 2011 8:05 AM

Dressed Like HaSatan

Is this the same person who did all his Rock & Roll shows dressed like "evil" as well as his band. Screwed up a lot of teenagers heads and personified evil in "look & "gesture". And all we can say is ; but he's Jewish. What a great accomplishment for an Israeli.

Barry, August 27, 2011 5:48 AM

we tend to do that again

He is Jewish, he is one of us..NOPE. I do not think he is a bad person but lets try to focus more on the positive influences.

(18) Yidith, August 24, 2011 3:52 AM

Israel is my home; Canada is my where I live.

Every time I visit Israel I'm HOME; I feel safe and accepted and understood when I'm there. It's like a big family reunion- mishpogge; one might not like all the family members nor agree with them on anything but that doesn't matter because we're all growing from the same root. Outside I never feel 100% safe and certainly never completely accepted, understood nor even "liked"; tollerated yes. Always the 'other'. So yes it's more than possible to feel that one has only one home; Israel. Maybe residing in Galut makes us more sensitive to the knowlege that for a Jew there can never be any other place on earth we can call Home.

(17) Cena ABergel, August 24, 2011 3:24 AM

Kol Hakavod

Thank you Gene Simmons/Chaim Weitz for identifying with your people at such a tumultuous time in our collective History

(16) EGE, August 24, 2011 1:55 AM

Israel...home

After I came back from my Birthright trip eight years ago, I had a very hard time referring to anyplace else as "home!" It still feels funny to say "I'm going home" when I mean my apartment in the States. I have left a piece of my heart in Israel, and look forward to the day when I can be whole again.

(15) Simon Wajcer, August 24, 2011 12:46 AM

Israel is the home of the neshumah of every Jew no matter where he or she lives and regardless of their connection with Judaism. Chaim Weitz is aware of this and acknowledges it openly and with humility. A mensch.

(14) justmy2sense, August 23, 2011 10:13 PM

home

Of course that is his home.It was home for jews for 1000's of years when they were not allowed there or it was made difficult for them to live there.One of your saying's (Next Year In Jerusalem) always made sure you knew it was home even being dispersed across the world.But,When you are born and your first memories of childhood experiences are there that is home.My daughter was 8 when we moved away from our hometown she always felt that was her home.So i think for a Jewish person like him it has a double feeling of home.But,I am not Jewish so I am just speculating about the second part,lol Home is where you are welcomed also and I feel you welcome all your brethren.

Dani, August 24, 2011 6:06 AM

we need Israel

It should be our home, if we are jews. We have longing for it as if it's our home, even if we never have been there, we have heard about it from our folks. I hope to finally see it because without Israel my soul is lonely, my life is in vain and I am a jew.

(13) Deborah, August 23, 2011 9:16 PM

Israel stays in your heart forever!!

I lived in Israel for 2 years as a child, and even though I have never had the opportunity to return as yet, it will always be home to me. Israel is part of who I am. It lives in my heart and my soul no matter where I reside.

(12) Anonymous, August 23, 2011 8:42 PM

pintele Yid

Gene Simmons obviously had that long-dormant spark of the Jewish neshama kindled when he openly came out as calling Israel his home! Bravo to him for saying it publicly. Coming from a celebrity, this could have many positive consequences.

(11) Anonymous, August 23, 2011 6:59 PM

I believe that home is where your heart is not an address.

(10) FAL, August 23, 2011 5:00 PM

Home?

Home is where your heart is.

(9) Sherry, August 23, 2011 4:29 PM

for anyone who watched this episode on TV you would also know that His father is buried in Israel and he went to pay respects to him, and you would also know that he has brothers and sisters and thier families that still live in Israel. Family he had never seen until this visit to Israel. And yes, we may not live with our feet planted in Israel, but our hearts are planted there everyday.

(8) Rachel, August 23, 2011 3:20 PM

MAZEL TOV CHAIM(GENE)

You are lucky to have a wonderful woman in your life who gave you two fabulous children---who honour your dearest Mother......a lovely family.....and great that you returned to Israel....you make us all proud..... with Shalom friend:) Rachel

(7) AL Gee, August 23, 2011 2:50 PM

Israel

I was there in 1985 as a Army volunteer. Good adventure and great people!

(6) S. Weiner, August 23, 2011 2:48 PM

One Can Only Hope

It's easy to see that he is holding a lot in - holding a lot back - one can only hope that this will be the start of taking off those glasses - and opening up his heart. so much tumah - so much opportunity for kedusha!

(5) Elly, August 23, 2011 2:44 PM

Good for him

I believe every Jew,no matter how secular, has a tiny spark that is lit when they step on to the Land. His whole life may go by and this may be the only connection his neshamah has to his Jewishness, but even this tiny spark is good.

(4) Sandy, August 23, 2011 2:29 PM

Yes It does feel like home

I'm 40 and sad to say that my first trip to Israel happened solely because of work. I'm not sure I would have ever make it there otherwise. And I absolutely would never have guessed how much I would love it! It is true, you do walk a little taller in Israel! I have been back 4 times now and fall more in love with the country each time I return. If you haven't been yet ..... GO, GO, GO!

(3) Marvin Fox, August 22, 2011 3:12 PM

Israel could teach the world how to live.

I've visted Israel in 1984 and 2009. When I'm there I walk a little taller.....Everyone should visit at least once.

(2) Lisa, August 21, 2011 9:12 PM

Yes..Israel will always be our home...even 7,000 miles away!!

Yes...every Jew who lives outside of Israel still calls it home...albeit we are not actually living there ...yet!! Home is were you feel most comfortable....and I feel gr8 walking on R' Beh Yehuda & seeing others just like me feeling very much at home!!!

Gershon Grushovski, August 23, 2011 2:40 PM

Yes

So right.

(1) Lisa, August 21, 2011 9:03 AM

Don't KISS Gene Simmons goodbye.....

For someone who for most part of his life, dressed up with hi heeled boots & tons of make-up...I think this took alot of courage for him. He may not mean it 100%....but the spark of Israel being his home was lit. Not many celebrities would even connect themselves with Israel/Judaism...he did. Its a step in the right direction!! Thank you Aish for focusing on all types of people....all types of Jews.

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