YOM HAZIKARON AND YOM HA’ATZMAUT – ISRAEL’S MEMORIAL AND INDEPENDENCE DAYS ABOUT THE DAYS Yom HaZikaron , the day preceding Israel’s Independence Day, was declared by the Israeli Knesset to be Memorial Day for those who lost their lives in the struggles that led to the establishment of the State of Israel and for all military personnel who were killed as members of Israel’s armed forces. Joining these two days together conveys a simple message: Jews all around the world owe the independence and the very existence of the Jewish state to those who sacrificed their lives for it. Yom HaZikaron is different in character and mood from our American Memorial Day. In Israel, for 24 hours, all places of public entertainment are closed. The siren wails twice for two minutes throughout the country, first at 8:00 am to usher in the day, and again at 11:00 am before the public recitation of prayers in the military cemeteries. At the sound of the siren, all traffic and daily activities cease; the entire nation is still. Families are gathered in cemeteries and radio stations broadcast programs devoted to the lives of fallen soldiers. The list grows longer every year as Israel continues to labor for its very survival. Flags in Israel are flown at half mast, and the Yizkor (remembrance) prayer for Israel’s fallen soldiers is recited. May God remember His sons and daughters who exposed themselves to mortal danger in those days of struggle prior to the establishment of the State of Israel and (may He remember) the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces who fell in the wars of Israel. May the people of Israel keep them in their memory - and be blessed with their seed; let them mourn the splendor of youth, the charm of valor, the holiness of will, and the devotion of sacrifice which came to an end in the heavy battles. May the loyal and valiant heroes of freedom and victory be sealed forever within the hearts of Israel. Yom HaAtzmaut begins on the fifth day of Iyar, the Hebrew date of the formal establishment of the state. The original date corresponded to May 14, 1948. The official change from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut takes place a few moments after sundown. The flag of Israel on Mt. Herzl is raised from half mast to the top of the pole, and the speeches, ceremonies and celebrations begin, from music, dancing, picnics and fireworks to the recitation of the Hallel prayer of thanksgiving and the Al HaNissim prayer during the Amidah , in which God is thanked for the many miracles that have been granted us. For American and other Diaspora Jews, celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut is a way to express solidarity with the state of Israel and to strengthen our alliance with it. Many Jews are interested in developing religious ritual for this day, honoring the return to Jewish nationhood after two millennia as a turning point of sacred dimension. HOW WE CELEBRATE: • Learn about the history of Israel and the return to modern times • Decorate with blue and white streamers, create a display with pictures of Israel • Listen to Israeli music, contemporary and otherwise. • Serve the day’s meals Israeli style – or at least breakfast! – with hard boiled eggs, cheeses, good bread, tomato and cucumber salad, olives, humus and yogurt. • Invite someone who has been to Israel to speak about their trip. • Donate to a tzedakah organization in Israel that supports projects you believe in. • Have a birthday party for Israel. • Read books and poems by Israeli authors This year we will commemorate Yom Hazikaron at PJA on Monday morning, April 19 at 8:10 AM in the auditorium. The seventh grade class will present a short ceremony including songs, poems, and readings, and special yizkor, el maleh rachamim and Kaddish prayers said for Israel’s fallen. The service will be about 20 minutes long and will include 3 rd -8th graders only. You are all welcome to attend. On Tuesday, April 20 we will celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut throughout the school starting with celebrations in the lower school and preschool and ending the day with a big celebration in the ballroom. We will have singing and dancing and will be treated to a presentation by the 8 th graders about their trip to Israel in March. Please join us at 2:15 in the ballroom as we celebrate Israel’s 62 nd birthday! Yom Huledet Sameach Yisrael !! Happy birthday Israel!! .