Just blue and white- no red - for this country’s 61^st year of Independence. In Israel, Yom Haatzmaot, or The Day of Independence, began Tuesday night and lasted until Wednesday night. Every city in Israel was coated in blue and white flags, streamers, and signs. Tuesday night I spent Yom Haatzmaot in Tel Aviv driving past long streets packed with people wearing lights on their heads and bodies, dressed in blue and white. It was amazing to see people of all ages out on the streets dancing and looking up at fireworks and skyscrapers with lights making the design of the Israeli flag and a big 61. Celebrations continued all through the day on Wednesday with barbeques everywhere to be seen- on the beach, in parks, in front of people’s houses.  I realized that I had never seen such celebrations and festivities for America’s Independence Day. We all know the 4^th of July as “the date” but fortunately we do not have to celebrate the very survival of the country for one more year and, unless we think about it, we don’t even know what number birthday it is. I’ve never seen an entire country cherish every year as if it were the first as Israel celebrating their Independence Day. In many respects Israel and America stand for the same things. I would love to witness the same heartfelt passion with which Israel regards its independence as a free country but in America- not just finding an excuse to wear red, white, and blue and have fireworks but people finding meaning to truly celebrate the existence of our country.

As a Jew living in Israel for the year, I realized how easy it is to remain in a Jewish bubble, never exploring one street beyond my comfort zone, or turning the corner to observe the many other religious activities taking place. After all, in my bubble, all the many Jewish holidays are fully celebrated. Stores begin selling costumes for Purim one month before, non-bread products are sold one month before Passover, and long streets are decorated with lights and every holiday’s special symbols. Even while put on hold when speaking to an operator, no music is played when the country is commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day.