Israelis possess many unique qualities.  One of the most intriguing qualities is their ability to go from a complete state of grieving and sadness to celebrations and dancing, almost instantaneously.

Every May, Israel celebrates Memorial Day and Independence Day.  Memorial Day, almost as solemn of a day as Yom Kippur, is filled with trips to cemeteries, memorial service programs on television and blaring sirens where the entire nation literally stops, for two minutes, in order to remember the thousands that have fallen either in the line of duty or from acts of terror.  One can almost feel the sadness and grief in the air.

Then, at around eight o’clock in the evening, like magic, the Independence Day celebrations commence.  The streets are filled with Israelis waving their blue and white flags.  Vendors line the streets selling everything imaginable, from blow up balloons adorned in the colors of the flag to blinking headbands that play our national anthem. In the larger cities, stages are built and Israel’s best entertainers perform for the masses.  Throngs of people join in and everyone is more than enthused to put their patriotism on display.  The night concludes with huge fireworks displays.

Israelis take the time to grieve, but know that they must march forward.  They must continue with their everyday lives.  Pick up the pieces and move on.

Just the other day I had reported on a horrible terror attack that took place in a bus station in Beer Sheva.  People were severely injured and some even died of their wounds.  The very next day, after burying the dead and cleaning up the mess, a large group of patriotic Israelis returned to that very same bus station and danced, proudly and loudly. Waving their flags and jumping up and down, singing “Am Yisroel Chai”, Israel went from grieving to celebrating.

In Israel, every day is Independence Day.  We must continue to celebrate it and enjoy it, every chance we have.