Every year on the Fourth of July, I think about the country where I was born — a nation built on faith, courage, and the belief that every person is created in the image of God. America’s Independence Day is certainly about fireworks, parades, and spending time with family. But it is also a reminder of the miracle of America, and of the values that have shaped this nation for 250 years.As an American-Israeli, this holiday carries special meaning for me. I grew up in the United States, where freedom is woven into the fabric of daily life. Today, I raise my children in Israel, a country whose very existence is a miracle of biblical proportions. And each year on July Fourth, I am reminded of how blessed I am to belong to two nations whose stories are rooted in faith, resilience, and hope.Although America and Israel are indeed very different places, their foundations are strikingly similar. Both nations were built by people who believed in something greater than themselves — people who trusted God, who longed for freedom, and who were willing to make sacrifices in the pursuit of a better future.
America’s founders risked everything to establish a nation where liberty could flourish. Israel’s founders rebuilt a homeland after two thousand years of exile, guided by ancient promises and unshakable faith. Both nations understand that freedom is not guaranteed. It must be protected, nurtured, and passed on to the next generation.And both nations know that the greatest strength of a country lies not in its power, but in its values.On Independence Day, I often think about the men and women who have served in the U.S. military — those who fought in World War II to defeat evil, those who stood against tyranny in the decades that followed, and those who continue to defend freedom around the world today.As a Jewish woman, I will never forget that American soldiers helped liberate the concentration camps. They brought hope to a world drowning in darkness. They saved lives, not just the Jewish people’s lives, but the lives of my family members. Both my grandfather and my father-in-law survived the Holocaust, thanks in no small part to the sacrifice of those American servicemembers. Their courage is part of the reason the Jewish people are alive today.And as an Israeli, I see the same spirit of courage in the young men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Both nations understand the cost of freedom. Both nations honor those who protect it. And both nations know that not every hero comes home.More than anything, living as both an American and an Israeli has taught me that miracles are not only ancient. They are happening right now.America is a miracle — a nation founded on biblical values, where people of every background can pursue their God-given purpose. Israel is a miracle, a nation reborn from ashes, thriving against all odds, and standing as a beacon of hope in a troubled region.To be a citizen of both is a privilege that I thank God for every day.As America reaches its 250th anniversary, this Independence Day feels especially meaningful. It is a moment to reflect on the values that built this nation — faith, freedom, courage, unity — and to rededicate ourselves to living them out.These are the same values that sustain Israel. The same values that bind Christians and Jews together. The same values that light the way forward in uncertain times.This Fourth of July, my prayer is simple: May God bless America with peace and protection. May He strengthen the families who build this nation every day. May He guide its leaders with wisdom and humility. And may He remind all of us that freedom is a gift — and a responsibility.UNCIRCULATED SET OF COINS TO BE RELEASED DAYS BEFORE AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAYFrom Jerusalem to every corner of the United States, may this Independence Day be a celebration of gratitude, unity, and hope.Happy Fourth, America.Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations, and is a respected Jewish leader, speaker, bestselling author, and an award-winning podcast host and humanitarian. A 2025 ‘Pillars of Jerusalem’ award recipient for her exceptional contributions to Israel’s public diplomacy, and The Jerusalem Post’s 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.
