Normally, Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut are huge events in Israel. There are usually lots of ceremonies, and on Yom HaAtzmaut everyone barbecues and rejoices. It is very sad that we are missing out on these classic Israeli experiences this year because of the coronavirus. There are ceremonies on zoom, but it’s just not the same.
Last Wednesday was Yom HaShoah V’Hagvura (Holacaust Remembrance day). We had a few zoom ceremonies with our class and grade and we listened to a survivor’s story with Ima’s school, Pardes. The survivor’s story was amazing. There is a book written about her story called, A Daughter of Many Mothers.
Tuesday was Yom HaZikaron, a memorial day devoted to remembering the lives of Israeli soldiers and civilians who lost their lives. We watched some ceremonies Monday night and Tuesday before transitioning into Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, on Tuesday night.
One of the many ceremonies Ima went to online was one with Zion. Zion is the shul we have gone to the most in Jerusalem and Ima is obsessed with everything they do. The ceremony Zion did was long and I didn’t love it, but of course, Ima did love it. Anyway, after the ceremony everyone was supposed to join zoom again later for a falafel party. I was very confused why there was a falafel party and I found it hilarious. No one on the zoom call seemed to be eating any falafel, nor did they talk about falafel at all.
Yesterday, after having a very Israeli breakfast- shakshuka, we watched some videos about Israel and took some fun and challenging quizzes about Israel. Then in the afternoon we went up to our roof to see a four minute air show because this year they only flew over hospitals and we could only see a few hospitals from our roof. It was not an impressive show but it was really cool to go up to our roof. I had no idea we could go up to the roof until yesterday. I like our roof but it is very scary getting up and down on a wobbly ladder.
This week in many online classes, we have talked about why Memorial Day and Independence Day are juxtaposed. It was really interesting to think about and discuss this. Personally, I think that marking these days one after another adds more depth and significance because you can celebrate in a more fitting way when you are aware of what was lost to achieve and maintain the state. When we celebrate Memorial day right before Independence Day, we have an understanding of everything that people sacrificed just so we could have a state. Thanks to everyone who sacrificed and fought for Israel, we are able to celebrate the fact that the State of Israel is now 72 years old!
Happy Yom HaAtzmaut! I hope everyone one had a meaningful Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.
I zoomed in the photo because the planes were so far away
-Alexandra