I'm an American. That was probably my first identity and though I moved away from the US in 2009, I worked in the House of Representatives for a year, cried when President Obama was elected, and brought my pocket-sized constitution with me when I moved to Israel. I love a good hamburger, though I hate apple pie, and I love the country that welcomed my ancestors, allowed my father to build a successful business, and gave me opportunities that I never would have had in so many countries. The Fourth of July always makes me teary as I think about the beauty of the United States, and even though America is already great, I want it to be even better.
That's why #imwithher. There are a lot of articles that are more effective than I can be, so I'll leave it to them to describe her power when it comes to the domestic issues that matter most to me--a woman's right to choose, children's rights to education, stopping the absurd gun violence, equal rights for all LGBT Americans, having a wonk in the White House who can actually read, understand and act on policy briefs. You know, the basics.
I'm an Israeli. I chose this country nearly seven years ago and choose it every single day, as I watch my son learn Hebrew as his first language, delight in the challah everywhere on Fridays, the quiet that descends with Shabbat, and the reality that unlike when I was growing up (and I had an amazing childhood), here I have no need to explain anything about my Jewish identity. Trying to explain my love of stuffing is another story...
If only it were that simple, right? Hillary Clinton understands what it is to be Israeli, and that the US-Israel relationship is not as simple as "send us a big check". (Campaign site) It started in the 90's when she was First Lady of Arkansas and started collaborating with us on a program to help children at-risk, and continues with her support to this day. Did you notice that Israel was the only foreign country in her convention speech? She understands that a two-state solution is critical, that a one-state solution is not an option, and that our being in the settlements is certainly not helping the peace process. She gets it that in every war, they sacrifice their children on the front lines for headlines while we build missile defense systems to protect ours. Hillary gets it. She's worked with the left-wing and the right-wing in this country, and been praised by both. She's not just the best candidate in this election for Israel--she's the best candidate ever. That's why #imwithher.
I'm also a Mom. To an Israeli little boy. In the last war, I could protect him, because he was inside me. When the sirens went off and we ran down the stairs in the middle of the night, I knew he was safe. I can't know that in our next war--and there will be a next war. I do know that with all likelihood, in just over 16 years, he'll go off to the IDF to protect our great nation, just like his father, grandmother and grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncles did before him,
I have skin in this game--fair, redheaded skin, to be precise. I have a boy who loves peas, and hates pizza (I know it's temporary). A boy who thinks things are "awesome" and loves his stuffed blue bunny.Voting for Israel means voting for the best interests of Israelis like me and my family, and that means voting for Hillary Clinton. I'm an American, I'm an Israeli, and I'm a Mom.
And this November, with tears in my eyes and a pen on my absentee ballot, I will prove, once and for all, that #imwithher. I hope you will, too.
