Yom Hazikaron: How to Feel It

Posted on 05/04/2014 by Gila Rose in Israel

This year, Yom Hazikaron falls on Monday, May 5. Yom Hazikaron is the day we commemorate the soldiers who gave their lives defending and protecting Israel. It is a somber day, beginning Sunday evening with a nationwide siren to remember the fallen. A second siren follows on Monday morning.

Yom Hazikaron ends with a “tekes ma’avar,” a transitional ceremony that bridges the sadness of Memorial Day with the celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Yom Haatzmaut begins immediately after Yom Hazikaron on Monday and ends Tuesday evening.

If you would like to mark Yom Hazikaron, no matter where you live, these videos, books and songs can help you get into the spirit of the day. Thanks to my knowledgeable Facebook friends, I have compiled a compiled an authentic list of things to read, watch and listen to on Monday.

To watch:

“Balada La’chovesh/The Medic’s Ballad.” This song and I go way back. The first time I heard it was in America, when I was a teacher at a Jewish day school. It was the first time I had a small glimpse of the sacrifice and unwavering loyalty soldiers have to each other and to their country. The song describes a medic who ultimately risks his life to save a soldier in the field. Song is in Hebrew with English subtitles.
A compilation of some “siren moments.” For those who do not live in Israel, this video gives you a sense of the countrywide stillness and reflection that occurs during the two-minute long siren on Yom Hazikaron. Café-goers, drivers, bank tellers, teachers, shoppers—everyone stops and stands in bowed silence.
David Ben-Gurion announces the State of Israel. (I apologize in advance for the typos in the subtitles.) Watch the moment that Ben-Gurion makes the formal announcement about “hakamat hamedinah”—the formation of the State of Israel, including reactions of Israelis listening to the radio broadcast.
Live broadcasts. The Israeli website www.mako.co.il will have live broadcasts of the official Yom Hazikaron ceremonies.
1948 playlist (in English). A fascinating look at pre- and early-state life.

To read:

The Prime Ministers. Although I haven’t read it yet, it is definitely on my to-read list. The author personally worked with the prime ministers whose lives and leadership he recounts in vivid detail.
This article about the Toldot Yisrael initiative, which is working to preserve the memories of those who fought in Israel’s early wars as well as eyewitnesses to the formation of the state and its early years.
Get to know the “dam hamakkabim” flower, the symbol of remembrance.

To listen to:

Ktzat Acheret’s “Nesich Hakatan/The Little Prince,” written after the Yom Kippur War.
David Broza’s “Yihyeh Tov/It Will Be Good,” considered an “anthem” of the peace process.
Idan Raichel’s “Abba, Ima v’chol Hashaar/Mum, Dad and Everyone Else.” Idan composed the tune for Yom Hazikaron 2011, to lyrics written by a soldier killed in the Yom Kippur War.
Rivka Zohar singing “Mah Avarech/How Shall I Bless You?” a song written by Rachel Shapira in memory of a man from her kibbutz who fell during the Six Day War.

In memory of those who gave their lives and with pride and gratitude to those serving our country today.