Dateline Jerusalem — Within a one- week period, sirens could be heard throughout Israel, but not because we had been attacked even though, Israeli soldiers had been shot and another soldiers was seriously injured by a roadside bomb.

When the sirens went off, the entire nation came to a standstill. Drivers exited their vehicles on roads and freeways, passengers disembarked on train platforms, and pedestrians came to a halt, all standing at attention to show their respect.

On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, they mourned 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. On Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial or Remembrance Day, they mourned those who died defending and protecting Israel from its enemies, and they mourned Israeli victims of terrorism. All restaurants, theatres, cinemas and other areas of entertainment were closed. Memorial services were held throughout the country. The only thing shown on Israeli TV were shows about the events and the victims, and all the names of the murdered were read out loud. We never will forget them! Then the nation went from sadness to gladness for the 68th anniversary of the modern State of Israel on Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Happy 68th birthday, Israel.

Although the modern State is only 68, the Land of Israel has been the home to Jews for over 3,000 years. Other than a short 19 years during the Jordanian occupation of Jerusalem until the city was liberated and reunited in 1967, Jews have lived continuously in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel, for the entire 3,000 years. The sovereign modern State of Israel has established the ancient capital of the Land of Israel, Jerusalem, as its capital as well. Despite the outrageous demands and decisions of the world, Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of the Jewish people. That is the definition of “eternal.”

My Heritage

As the daughter of parents who served in the military, my father a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis and my mother a U.S. Marine, I have always taken pride in their patriotism. It saddens me when I see how veterans are treated in the U.S. nowadays. In Israel, whose existence is threatened on a daily basis by enemies surrounding it and even by so-called allies and friendly nations, the entire nation respects and supports its military. Both boys and girls are drafted after high school. After serving their time they continue to do reserve duty into their 40s.

Because of being constantly forced to defend itself or being the victim of terrorism, just about every family in Israel has experienced a loss or known a family who has suffered a loss. That is why the nation pulls together in times of need and supports those who protect this tiny nation that is 1/19 the size of California and whose population is the same as New York City.

Israeli Independence Day celebrations are similar to those in the U.S. with barbecues, picnics, parades, fireworks, family gatherings, aerial shows, and concerts in the park. The Israeli flag, with its six-sided Star of David sitting between two thick blue stripes on a pristine white background can be seen everywhere. Gigantic Israeli flags hang down eight-story apartment and office buildings, from roof to sidewalk. Blue and white streamers, banners, and little flags criss-cross every intersection.

Even main roads are cordoned off to allow dancing in the streets. Automobiles drive by with flags furling in the wind and Stars of David covering side view mirrors. My apartment’s windows are adorned with various sized flags and I even have flags hanging from my apartment’s wrought iron railings. On the 4th of July in the States, I always used to dress in red, white, and blue. On Yom HaAtzmaut, I dress in blue and white and wear little flags on my clothes and my hat. I feel blessed to have lived in two of the most democratic and freest nations of the world, the U.S. and Israel.

Weight a Minute

It is so difficult for me to keep my weight down since I moved to Israel. My friends are such good cooks. What with every Shabbat being like a U.S. Thanksgiving Day feast, with every holiday meal filled with delicious symbolic foods, and every Yom HaAtzmaut barbecue serving enough food for the entire Israeli army, how can I resist?

For example, the barbecue I was invited to was held on a gigantic mirpesset, balcony. We ate dinner on a white tablecloth with blue napkins and blue plates under a sky of stars and watched the fireworks. Hot dogs, hamburgers, spicy ground beef kabobs, chicken skewers with peppers and onions and tomatoes, chicken wings, French fries, roasted potatoes, a couple of salads, watermelon, and pink and white marshmallows roasted on the barbecue. Good food, good fun, good friends.

Am Yisrael Chai…the people of Israel live.

L’hitraot. Shachar