The Coronavirus ruined for us not only Passover but also Independence Day. Independence Day alone?? While we are in Israel?? It’s madness!
A month after we arrived to the US, the Israeli Memorial Day arrived. We went to the Jewish community center for the ceremony, and I was down and low. I felt guilty leaving my country after so many people were murdered trying to protect her – I was full of shame and sadness.
In the ceremony, an old American man, explain why this day is sad and bragged that he had been in Jerusalem at least 15 times and I was heart broken and I did not stop crying. I was born and raised in this magnificent city, and I’m sitting here, in a foreign country, listening to a stranger, who explaining me why this day is so horrible and why it’s important to honor it? Am I crazy?
Then the Boy Scouts sang “Jerusalem of Gold” in English and I burst into tears.
That’s NOT what Naomi Shemer meant, when she wrote this wonderful song!! ‘What am I doing here??’ I thought.
We walked out of the ceremony, my makeup smeared all over my face, and my mood wasn’t good either. A heavy sense of strangeness flooded me and I just wanted to go back home.
Memorial Day is always a hard day for me- for every Israeli I believe. It’s reminds us the heavy price we pay to have the privilege to live in Israel.When the evening arrives- Independence Day officially starts and it’s brings me to life – fills my batteries. Old Israeli songs in the radio gives me hope that one day Israel be surround by peace and no more war. No more young men will be murdered while serving there country.
Every year, on Independence Day eve, I used to celebrate with Noam and Reut.
Reut used to decorate the yard with Israel flags, the paper plates and napkins were in our flag’s colors, the barbecue was full of meat, and we surround the table with lots of great friends, laughter and joy. I missed this little tradition of us while we were in the US.
So in honor of Independence Day, where for a change I am not suffering from poor mood and heavy guilt, I want to share with you my mom’s kebab recipe. Israeli barbecuing in Independence Day. And besides stakes I always love to serve also these kebab.
Every kid thinks his mom’s food is the best – but my mom’s kebab recipe really is. I hope you’ll like it!
Ingredients
2 Pounds of ground beef – 20% fat and 80% meat. Don’t use lean meat, the kebab will dry.
1 bunch of parsley
1 large yellow onion
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 a teaspoon of black pepper
Preparation
1. Chop the onion and parsley thinly and put it in a bowel with the meat and spices
2. Mix well into uniform mixture and put in the refrigerator for about half an hour
3. Make kebabs about 4 cm long and 3 cm wide and 1 cm thickness.
4. Put on the grill on medium heat and when one side is ready turn it to the other side.
5. If you don’t own a grill, you can bake the kebab in the oven for 20 minutes on 355F.
Isn’t that easy?? It will taste amazing- Guarantee! I am happy to be in Israel even though we have somehow returned to the apocalyptic world.
No Comments