A unique aspect to the Jewish State is the observance of a somber Yom Hazikaron, Israeli Memorial Day, followed by joyous Independence Day festivities.
Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day – begins on Sunday evening. It is a somber annual event that Israelis observe seriously.
Yom Hazikaron began with the founding of the State of Israel in 1948 and was enacted into law in 1963. The annual date is the fourth of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which this year falls on the evening of May 4.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara visit the grave of the Israeli leader’s heroic brother, who fell defending the Jewish State.
Sirens will be heard throughout the country at 8 p.m. Citizens will stand for two minutes of silence in memory of the 23,169 soldiers and security personnel who died protecting the Jewish state.
Shops, restaurants and places of entertainment will be closed. Radio and television programming will be geared to the observance of Yom Hazikaron.
The main Yom Hazikaron ceremony will take place at the Western Wall, where President Shimon Peres will light the traditional memorial candle together with IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz. Several other, smaller programs will happen throughout the country, such as prayer services, poetry readings.
On Monday morning, sirens will sound at 11 am.
There is hardly an Israeli who has not lost a close relative or friend in Israel’s wars or in a terror attack, and hundreds of thousands traditionally attend memorial events at military ceremonies.
A major service will be held at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on Monday evening, ending at 8 p.m. and immediately followed by intense Yom Haatzmaut – Independence Day – festivities.
This ability to both remember and grieve for the fallen and to rejoice in the miracle of the Jewish State is unique to the People of Israel, who value life and do not give up. Such is the success of the State of Israel. LINK
In Memoriam IDF http://www.idfblog.com/in-memoriam/#
In Memoriam IDF http://www.idfblog.com/in-memoriam/#
