Israel is a place where holidays are full of meaning and unity. When the memorial sirens sound, my heart stops for a moment along with the whole country. On Independence Day, my heart cheers and celebrates with everyone. On holidays, I feel truly happy for everyone else's happiness.
But there’s another side to it — loneliness. Loneliness is something every immigrant knows too well, and it feels especially strong during the holidays. It’s that feeling of being an outsider, even when everyone around is celebrating together.
It’s not that I don’t want to feel part of the celebrations — it’s just that I’m still a newcomer here. On regular days, it’s easier to feel like I belong: work, studying, and daily life make it feel more natural. But when it’s a holiday, I can’t help but feel a bit out of place. These aren’t my victories, my songs, or my pride.
I really do share the country’s happiness, but for me, holidays also bring a sense of being on the outside looking in. I’m learning to appreciate being here, while also trying to make peace with the feeling of being a bit alone. Maybe that’s just part of the journey of living far from home.
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