Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israeli Memorial Day, and Independence Day

There have been several holidays these last few weeks. I’m shocked by how many holidays there are here, all of which close down the cities and places of employment.

Last week Israel had Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah). As you can imagine, it’s a day that’s taken with extreme seriousness here. The day before, my instructor at Ulpan Gordon told everyone to arrive the next day with white shirts for a ceremony. (She cheated a bit and gave us these instructions in broken English.)

Every year on this day, an alarm sounds simultaneously across the country for two minutes. Everyone stops exactly where they are at this moment and stand in silence for the entire two minutes. On the highways, people stop their cars and get out to stand. On the sidewalks, people forget about their shopping. Even those caught crossing the street at the moment the alarm sounds are statues in the crosswalk. They have no fear of being hit because all the cars have stopped too.

I remembered to bring my camera to the ceremony but was disappointed to discover that the batteries were dead.

This week, the alarm went off again for the Israeli Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) which honors the soldiers and victims of terror that have fallen for Israel.

I arrived to class again with light colored clothing as instructed and attended another ceremony for Memorial Day. Just like Holocaust Day, Memorial Day here is taken with more seriousness than I recall the American version being. I think the size of Israel compared to the United States may have something to do with it. It’s easier to organize a unifying event with a country who’s population is the same size as New York City. It gets complicated in the United States with five time zones, different cultural regions, and dozens of major cities honoring soldiers and the military in their own way. Or maybe there’s something in the American character that doesn’t allow us to take a moment of silence without answering our cell phones and checking emails.

It was a nice show of solidarity. This time, I remembered the batteries:

These sad days are strategically scheduled just before their Independence Day. It’s designed to make the citizens feel remorse and sadness just prior to the Independance Day celebrations. I suppose it makes the day even more emotionally charged.

This year was Israel’s 60th birthday. Compared to the amount of progress it’s made, this country is extremely young. But she is supported by all the major superpowers who have helped bring her into the fold of industrialized nations. They don’t call this country “Little America” for nothing.

The celebration was in the center of Tel Aviv at Rabin Square. Because of the importance of it being the countries 60th anniversary, it was a little more dramatic than usual (or so I’ve been told); fireworks, laser light show, concert, and accompanying large screen videos. Needless to say, it was a beautiful and exciting night.

Popularity: 21% [?]