One of the only national anthems set in a minor key, “Hatikva” intones the hope for an independent Jewish state — a hope realized by the Jewish people 60 years ago and honored on Thursday night at Napa’s Congregation Beth Sholom.

“Something about the melody,” said a teary-eyed Henry Michalski on Thursday, “something about it gets me every time.”

At Congregation Beth Sholom, Napa’s Jewish community joined in a international chorus of Israel’s anthem, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the tiny Jewish state that has garnered international debate since its inception.

More than 200 voices hung in the air at Beth Sholom, the sad notes of “Hatikva” purring gently through the synagogue.

Michalski, who organized the event, encouraged the congregation to put aside political differences for the evening. The event, he said, was both a remembrance of the past, as well as a demonstration of hope — in Hebrew, “hatikva” — for the future.

A large blue and white birthday cake displayed two waxy candles: “6-0,” the candles read. Words scrawled into the frosting read, “Happy birthday Israel.”

Children performed a play depicting the major figures in Israel’s history. In a beard too big for his face, Aaron Starr recited Zionist leader Theodor Herzl’s famous line: “If you will it, it is no dream.”

Max Lustig, in a scruffy white wig, portrayed David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel. “Oy vey,” he exclaimed, his head in his hands.

During the program, representatives from the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee spoke on behalf of their organizations. Presenters read letters from Mayor Jill Techel; Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena; and Peter Shaw, pastor of First Baptist Church of Napa.

Public officials including Napa County supervisors Brad Wagenknecht and Mark Luce also attended the event, as did Barbara Nemko, Napa County superintendent of schools.

In a moving interview led by Zoe Kahn of Yountville, St. Helena’s Bunny Goldstein recalled his own involvement in Israel’s historical inception.

‘Walking on air’

In Hebrew, Goldstein is called a “chalutz,” or pioneer, named so for his contribution to the creation of the Jewish state.

Goldstein, 81, was raised in Los Angeles in a household deeply devoted to the Zionist movement.

As a teenager, he spent Friday and Saturday nights with friends on the corners of Hollywood Boulevard, rattling cans to collect donations the Jewish National Fund. The funds, he explained, would later be used to buy land in Israel for Jewish communes known as “kibbutzim.”

“Growing up, I experienced an awful lot of anti-Semitism,” said Goldstein, “I realized that as a Jew, I had to do something more with my life. … I wanted to go to Israel, I wanted to establish a kibbutz movement.”

That kibbutz movement, he explained, would provide the foundation of the Israeli state, forming the cultural fabric of the nation.

In March 1949, just months after the formal establishment of Israel, 21-year-old Goldstein arrived on a kibbutz, Gesher Haziv, located south of the Lebanese border.

There, he worked with fellow Americans and displaced German Jews, living in tents on agricultural land.

Together, they shared a common goal — to lay the bricks for Israel’s foundation. Each day, they were assigned various jobs on the kibbutz. As a diesel mechanic, Goldstein’s duties were to maintain equipment and build new machines.

“The spirit in the country was unbelievable,” said Goldstein. “You were walking down the streets and you were walking on air.”

To help build a Jewish community in Israel, he said — the kibbutz still stands today — “there’s nothing like it. … This was my goal and this was my fulfillment.”

Now, 60 years later, when Goldstein sees an Israeli flag, “I feel fulfilled to this day. … It’s just a miraculous thing, having grown up when there was no Israeli flag.”

Tearing up, Goldstein’s wife Bette said, “To be with my husband, it makes me cry, because I’m very proud of what he did. … I’m very, very proud to be a part of it and his history and his memories.”

Beth Sholom’s Carl Grant also made a brief presentation, showing aging photos of the days he spent as a pilot in Israel’s Air Force during the 1948 War of Independence.

Rabbi Oren Postrel told stories of his great-uncle Avraham Harzfeld, who founded Israel’s Department of Agriculture.

Wagenknecht marveled at “the history that’s in this room,” recognizing the Napa community’s contribution to the tiny country across the globe.

“Judaism is more than just a religion,” said Michalski. “It’s really a connection to the land and the people of Israel. ... It is all rooted in our little ancient land where so much of our history and so many of our miracles have taken place.”

For David Mendelsohn of Beth Sholom, Thursday’s anniversary “is one of what we hope will be hundreds and thousands more.”