Why American Jews don't have to choose between the US and Israel

Living in Israel for half a century has not erased the author's American accent, a subtle marker that, for some, signifies she will always remain "the American." This observation, shared by a fellow immigrant, highlights the enduring nature of identity, even for those deeply integrated into Israeli society, paying taxes, and having family serve in the IDF.

The author recounts instances where her accent influences interactions, such as suppliers potentially overestimating prices, and even her car's navigation system offering peculiar destinations. She finds solace in the fact that even Golda Meir, Israel's former prime minister, retained her American accent, a testament to the fact that national identity can coexist with a strong sense of belonging elsewhere.

This rumination on identity is particularly poignant as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. The author expresses profound gratitude for the refuge her grandparents found in America, escaping pogroms in their native Eastern Europe. She acknowledges the good fortune of her birth in the US, a stark contrast to the fate of relatives lost in the Holocaust, whose towns she later researched on the Yad Vashem website.

Her upbringing was a blend of American patriotism and Zionist commitment. Her mother was an active member of Hadassah and a voracious reader of Jewish literature, while her father supported Israel through JNF Blue Boxes and emergency funds. Like many Jewish classmates, she joined Young Judaea in fifth grade, never perceiving a conflict between her American identity and her love for Zionism. Her first trip to Israel solidified this dual affection, leading her to feel at home in both America and Israel.