Dateline Jerusalem – This week the United States celebrated the 4th of July, American Independence Day, and just months ago Israel celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut, its Independence Day.  Both nations, 237 and 65 years old, are young in the world. But their land or territories and a small minority of their people, the native American Indians and the Jewish people, have been around for millenniums. Both countries emerged out of a quest for freedom of religion, and to find a refuge from religious persecution. Now free from British domination, American settlers formed a new nation while Israelis rebuilt their ancient homeland. 

Both America and Israel are democracies in a world of dictatorships, monarchies and socialistic governments.  Each provides its people with innumerable liberties and encouragement to achieve. This results in both countries leading the world in science, medicine, arts and patents for their inventions, innovations and discoveries.  Both countries are melting pots. People from all around the world seek to live in these two countries where freedoms abound. Both countries promote freedom of speech, freedom of religion, women's rights, and values.  I am thankful to have been born in the United States of America and to call Israel, the home of my ancestors and my adoptive home, my home today.  It is with a sense of joy and spirit that I am proud to be an American and proud to be an Israeli. 

The celebration of Independence Day in both nations is similar – barbecues, picnics, fireworks, family gatherings, aerial shows, and flags flying.   But the difference between the US and Israel is that in the States, not everyone is as gung-ho and enthusiastic as in Israel.  Americans seem to be more apathetic or take their freedom for granted.  In Israel, everyone seems to have a flag flying from his car and/or hanging from windows. Sides of buildings are draped in gigantic sized flags, streamers of flags criss-cross every intersection, and people can be seen dancing in the streets celebrating Israeli Independence Day. 

Both independence days are preceded by national memorial days, although in the U.S., Memorial Day is observed a month earlier.  In Israel, Memorial Day is the day before independence Day, so here we go from sadness to gladness within seconds.  In a way, it makes Israelis constantly aware of and appreciate their survival as a nation and a people. Almost every family in Israel has known a friend or relative killed in the many wars Israel has been forced to fight for its existence. Too many have been victims of terrorism. Perhaps that is why Israelis are not as apathetic as Americans when it comes to appreciating their freedoms. We are constantly reminded of how fragile are freedom and democracy, how special it is to born or live in a country where freedom and democracy exist.

L'hitraot.  Shachar