Since 1948, Jewish people all around the world have been fortunate to see and celebrate a prosperous and ever-growing Jewish State in the Land of Eretz Yisrael. Year after year on Yom Ha’atzmaut (The Day of Independence), together as a worldwide community, we commemorate Israel’s Independence, a modern miracle that was thought impossible just 100 years ago.

However, as we celebrate this joyous and wondrous occasion, we must remember those men and women who gave their lives for a free and secure Jewish Homeland. It is for that reason that each year we observe Yom Hazikaron (The Day of Remembrance) on the day preceding Yom Ha’atzmaut. For Jews worldwide, Yom Hazikaron is the day that we stop and remember all of the Jewish soldiers, the brave men and women, who gave their lives so that the Jewish State of Israel could become a reality and remain a free and independent nation.

Resources

• Prayers and Poems for IDF Soldiers
• Prayer for the State of Israel and the IDF
• Yizkor for the Fallen Soldiers
• Readings

Suggested Program

Considering the somber tone of this holiday, the following suggestions are commemorative rather than celebratory in nature. One possible activity would be a commemorative ceremony. Below are suggested components for a community observance:

• Group procession
• Torchlighting ceremony
• Flags at half-mast
• Appropriate Israeli music
• Suitable scenery
• Exhibition
• Master of Ceremonies
• Main address by guest speaker