Jewish poet Naftali Herz Imber wrote a poem in 1878 expressing the hope of the Jewish people to return to the land of Israel. Based on the melody of a sixteenth-century Italian song, Hatikvah is now the national anthem of Israel. This arrangement for string orchestra honors that nation and is appropriate for concert programs featuring world music or holiday concerts celebrating Hanukkah. The difficulty-level is intermediate. All but double basses remain in first position. Developing students will be challenged by various techniques including measured tremolo and arpeggiando. This arrangement calls for two solo violins.