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Yom Ha’zikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel's Memorial Day and Independence Day
Yom Ha’zikaron – Memorial Day
On Sunday night, April 18, at 8:00 p.m., Israelis will pause for one minute as a siren wails across the country to mark the beginning of Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, the day Israel and the Jewish world mourns the nation's 22,600 fallen soldiers and terror victims. While the siren calls, Israelis stop everything (including driving) and stand in silence. Many religious Jews say prayers for the souls of the fallen soldiers at this time. At the Western Wall, the flag of Israel is lowered to half mast.
 The following morning, students and teachers wear blue and white, Israel’s national colors, to school and participate in official ceremonies. A two-minute siren at 11:00 marks the opening of the official memorial and the private gatherings held at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. The day draws to a close and, at once, national mourning turns to collective celebration of Israel Independence Day. On Mount Herzl, the flag of Israel is returned to full mast.
Scheduling Yom Hazikaron right before Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, reminds people of the price paid for independence. Most Israelis have served in the armed forces or have a connection with people who were killed during their military service.
 All across the country flags wave, radio stations play sad Israeli songs, and TV stations program documentaries about fallen soldiers. All restaurants, movie theaters, and other places of entertainment are closed by law, and many wear a sticker of the red flower known as "Blood of the Maccabees." The flower’s name comes from a legend that says that in every spot one grows, a drop of blood has been spilled.
The following day, Yom Ha’atzmaut, commemorates when David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, publicly read the proclamation of the establishment of the State of Israel. That first Independence Day was also the beginning of Israel’s first war, the War of Independence. On Yom Ha’atzmaut schools and businesses are closed. In the cities, crowds gather to watch public shows and many spend the night dancing and singing Israeli songs. During the day, thousands of Israeli families go out on hikes and picnics. Army camps are open for civilians to visit and to display the recent technological achievements of the Israeli Defense Forces. The day culminates with the granting of the Israel Prize for unique contributions to the country's culture, science, arts, and the humanities.
Israeli Band of the Month: Idan Raichel's Project
 Idan Raichel is an Israeli singer-songwriter, widely acclaimed for his Idan Raichel Project, a fusion of electronica, traditional Hebrew texts, Middle Eastern and Ethiopian music. Yom Haatzmaut celebrates Israel as the Jewish state of all Jews, and music is probably the best tool to celebrate Israel’s diverse cultures.
To enjoy Idan's music:
http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8C_lhmpIgk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyrw9QE_yjQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu7vuR9z01s&feature=related |
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