Independence Day Potluck

Celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut — Israeli Independence Day —

with a potluck barbecue at the home of Aliza and Shmuel

in Kadita in the Upper Galilee.

We have among us two guitar players, a banjo, and a mandolin.

Aliza herself is Mrs. Tambourine Lady.

And, of course, we all can sing.

Even those of us who can't sing can sing, loudly and enthusiastically.

Frisbees are flying.

Dogs and children are frolicking.

We are of different ages, different political opinions, different levels of religious observance,

but we all share our love for this crazy country,

our awe at the miracle of its rebirth,

and our gratitude for being here.

Moshe Rabbeinu was not deemed worthy of entering the Promised Land

but I was.

Contemplate that until your head explodes.

There is fish and chicken on the grill.

Stuffed peppers for the vegetarians.

Potato chips and salads.

Pitot and hummus.

Beer and wine for the grownups,

coke for the kids,

seltzer for the designated drivers.

I brought the PBJs:

organic crunchy peanut butter and organic strawberry jelly

on whole wheat bread from Assael's Bakery in Yodfat.

Two dozen of them, each one — to the chagrin of the environmentalists —

individually wrapped in aluminum foil.

The Americans in our group are overwhelmed.

Some have literally not tasted peanut butter in decades.

I see actual tears drip down my friends' cheeks as they bite into their sandwiches.

A taste of The Olde Country,

just like Mama used to pack in their lunch boxes when she sent them off to school,

upgraded for modern sensibilities.

The Brits are a different story.

Inexplicably devoted to a disgusting substance known as Marmite,

they mostly decline the offer of a nice PBJ,

except for a brave few willing to acknowledge that their PBJs are delicious and that

the sun has indeed set on the British Empire.

And the kids!

The kids are great!

Israeli-born children of English-speaking immigrants,

they are effortlessly bilingual.

They love their PBJs

and I love them for that.

In these kids —

confident, curious, open to new experience —

I see the bright future of the Jewish people.

Am Yisrael Chai!

PBJs forever!