This week, Israel's Memorial Day also was observed with blaring sirens and traffic at a standstill to honor those who lost their lives during the 8 “official” wars Israel experienced during its short existence of 61 years, and to pay their respects to the victims of terrorism.

I was in a conference at my office in Jerusalem when the siren went off.

We all stood, stopped speaking, bowed our heads until the siren stopped.

One of the saddest things about this year's Memorial Day is that the number of “official” wars went up from 7 to 8 in just one year, and the number of victims of terror also multiplied.

I put the word “official” in quotes because, in reality, there has been one long war of 61 years whereby Israel has been fighting a war for its very existence.

However, rejoicing began immediately after sundown on Memorial day (our days are from sundown to sundown) when Israeli Independence Day began.

Sounds Like Our Independence Day

Like the 4th of July, there were fireworks, parades, marching bands, barbecues and street fairs. Israeli flags flew from windows and cars. Blue and white streamers (Israel's colors) and flags were strung across parks and hung from lampposts.

I saw a gigantic flag hanging from a two-story building that was the size of the side of the building. I got goosebumps just looking at it. Music played in the streets, horns honked, and the joyous atmosphere was contagious. The entire country smells delicious because Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) also is known as “Barbecue Day.”

Although it is said here in Israel there is not one family that has not lost a loved one to either war or terrorism, it is exciting, and yet sobering, to think that this young nation of 61 years has accomplished so much in such a short period of time, especially since every day has been a struggle to exist.

How Israel Leads the World

Some interesting facts about Israel:

The size of New Jersey, Israel is the only country in the world that has more trees today than when it was founded. Considering that most of Israel is desert, this is amazing..

Israel's Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. It is called Yam HaMelach, the Sea of Salt. There is so much salt there that you cannot help but float on the water.

Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to its population in the world.

It leads the world in the number of engineers, scientists and technicians in the workforce. It also has the highest rate of entrepreneurship among women and seniors in the world. Israel's skilled workforce is often considered its greatest natural resource.

The cell phone, camera phone, AOL Instant Messenger, voice mail technology, voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) technology, disk on key, Windows NT and XP, all were developed in Israel. In fact, Israel leads the world in patents per person, and it has the highest concentration of high tech industries.

The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot has been voted the best university in the world for life scientists to conduct research. It also is unique in that it is a research institute for graduate and post-graduate students only.

Israel leads the world in the number of solar power water heaters. And they work! I never am without hot water.

Israel is 1 of 8 countries in the world to launch its own satellite into space. This is pretty fantastic considering Israel's size and newness as a nation.

Israeli agricultural scientists have invented the featherless chicken, the seedless watermelon and the three-nut peanut.

Israel is No. 1 in the number of museums per capita and No. 2 in the world for new books per citizen. It also has the highest number of home computers per capita.

Israel is the largest maker of antibiotics in the world and 1 out of every 15 prescriptions in the U.S. is for an Israeli-made drug.

Israel invented a radiation free diagnostic device for discovering breast cancer. It also developed a video camera that fits inside a pill. When swallowed, it enables doctors to diagnose digestive diseases. Its scientists include several Nobel Prize winners.

There have been so many accomplishments it would take me forever to list them all. One of the most impressive, however, is the fact that Israelis turned this barren arid land into a lush green landscape in a mere 61 years.

All I can say is, come to Israel. It is a wonderful place to visit, and to call home.

L'hitraot, Shachar

Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who moved to Israel 22 months ago.