JL;DR SUMMARY The author reflects on the contrast between their own safe upbringing in England and the challenges their children face growing up in Israel, where they are more immersed in Jewish life, involved with the country, and experience risks and traumas, yet develop resilience and a deep sense of religious and national responsibility. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.