This question is to the orthodox primarily. I was thinking about why I admire the Jewish people as a whole so much and it came to me that they continue to muster a confident spirit. Granted many of my friends have a lot of problems, but there is a confidence there. The question is what is it about Jewish people that enables them to remain so confident after centuries of persecution and hatred. Tell me what you personally think.
Admire??? I don't know, just also try to admire yourself (now and then), if you did something in a way you think you where open to HaShem, and there was the power to go on, or do something for other people...
for the rest:
Israel means also to be straight with theAlmighty... that asks for a certain flexibility and sometimes even ''brutality'' to stand up for people...
For the rest we are also chosen as a stuborn nation... I don't know if you should admire it. Admire theAlmighty for that was His choise...
Maybe it is better to admire the teachings, knowledge... that HaShem thought us... if we stayed religious (or sometimes even not) after all things that happened, that teaches also that our learned ethics how to deal with situations and people is not an easy workarround, but lifelessons to be straight with our health, and straight with other people.... allthough not always perfect.