62 and counting

In Israel, they celebrate yom hazikaron (remembrance day) 8 days after yom hashoah. Yom hazikaron remembers the soldiers who have fallen since the conception of the nation. It is a very somber day because in Israel, everyone knows someone who has been killed in battle.

The hag began the erev before with a ceremony at the kotel

The ceremony was very touching (even though I could hardly understand the Hebrew). What I found fascinating about the ceremony was the fact that although it was a secular ceremony, it still took place at holy site and there were still prayers incorporated. It was a very interesting and powerful blend of religion and state. As an American, it is hard to believe that religion holds a place in a national holiday but I believe that it is important in Israel to keep Judaism in political ceremonies.

The observance continued into the next day. I went on a Spring in Jerusalem trip to some important historical locations for the war of independence. We also went to a military cemetery and sat through a ceremony there as well. At 11pm, all across Israel, a siren sounds for two minutes. Although things usually run on "Israeli time" (i.e 5-10 mins late) this siren sounded at exactly 11pm all over the nation. At the sound of the siren, people get out of their cars, stop walking on the streets, stand up and are silent.

The group presenting did an excellent job sharing the significance of the day and teaching the rest of us military history of Israel.

While the mood of yom hazikaron is very somber, as soon as the sun sets, the atmosphe changes to a mood of celebration. As soon as the evening comes it is yom haatzmaut or Independence day. All of Jerusalem became one big block party.

I went to a party at the shuk (yes, the same place I go food shopping)

The celebration continues the next day. Everyone is out having a BBQ, enjoying the day. In Jerusalem, there were BBQs everywhere and everyone is expected to eat meat. I don't know why but you are supposed to eat as much meat as you can on yom haatzmaut. If you don't have a BBQ to go to, people will go out of their way to feed you.

Unfortunately, when these days were over I had to resume my usual school schedule.