Independence Day 2011

This year we had our traditional Israeli Independence day BBQ on the grass outside our building. This is our favorite spot for the past few years ever since we tired of the dramatic fight with thousands of Israeli's for the perfect picnic spot.
Doing a BBQ on Independence Day, is what being an Israeli is all about. Families drag themselves out of bed at the crack of dawn, pack up their kids, and head off to search for the perfect place to do a BBQ. Long lines of cars sit for hours on the
roads leading to all the major forests and national parks and I too used to do the same. It took me years to realize that right next to our building was the best place to have our BBQ. This year much to my amazement more families from our
surrounding buildings opted to stay home and avoid all the traffic. It was wonderful to see all the flags, picnic tables set with a blue and white theme, smell the meat being grilled, and listen to the Israeli music blaring loudly across our neighborhood.

This Independence Day was extra special because it also fell on my son Mikey's 24th birthday. Mari my daughter who is in the air force was allowed home just for 24 hours and had to rush back to her base to begin officers training course. Independence Day for our family gave us many reasons to celebrate. Today, the very existence and validity of Israel continues to be constantly questioned by the nations.
I was proud to be able to celebrate its Independence with two of my children who are proud to be part of a Jewish homeland. While Israel fights to be accepted as an equal to other nations, in 63 years it has achieved more than most of nations who stand in condemnation of it. As President Shimon Peres said "Who would have dreamed that a country with minimal resources, without water and very little territory, would have been able to achieve what Israel has achieved in 63 years of statehood."

As I lit the BBQ and the aroma of the grilling meat rose up, my neighbors began to come down spontaneously and join us. Before too long we had a nice gathering of young and old from diverse backgrounds, eating and applauding our enthusiasm in being part of Israel. As Mari had to leave early to return to her base, one of the neighbors said ' We have the only army in the world that takes in young people from diverse background and languages, unifies them, connects them to their roots, and by the end of their army service they come out loving one another as brothers and sisters".

Israel today at 63 is strong, capable and full of sharp young people, like my own kids who are not ashamed to proudly serve this nation. Israel's population now sits at 7.7 million, and in one year it grew by 155,000. Despite all the negative things being said about Israel, I know one thing is certain, Israel is here to stay. Happy Independence Day Israel !