This week, Israel marked its 78th Independence Day. For me, it was not an abstract commemoration—it was something lived, witnessed, and deeply felt across two distinct yet connected moments.

At my grandchild’s school, children marched with Israeli flags, singing with unrestrained joy. Their confidence was unmistakable. These were not children burdened by history; they were growing into it—embracing Jewish sovereignty as natural, rightful, and alive.

Later, in synagogue, the atmosphere shifted. Celebration gave way to reflection. IDF soldiers—men and women who have carried the security of this nation through the long shadows of the post-October 7 era—shared their experiences. Their stories were marked by courage and loss, but mostly by a quiet, steady resolve. Their words made one truth clear: Israel’s independence is not simply remembered; it is defended every day by those willing to carry its weight.

The day ended as many Jewish days do: with food, conversation, and community. Simple moments—falafel shared among friends—yet infused with extraordinary continuity. Together, these experiences define Israel at 78: joy and vigilance, innocence and responsibility, held together in a single national reality.

A Restoration That Defies History

Israel’s rebirth stands as one of the most extraordinary national restorations in human history. It is the return of a people to sovereignty in their ancestral homeland after nearly two thousand years of displacement.

From the destruction of the Temple to the horrors of the 20th century, Jewish history was long defined by endurance under relentless pressure. Yet Israel represents far more than mere survival. It is a restoration of dignity and agency—the fundamental right of a people to determine its own future. For a people repeatedly........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)