Yom Hazikaron in Jerusalem 2019 About Israel's Memorial Day Israel Remembrance Day, called Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew, is Israel's official day of remembrance for fallen soldiers of Israel and victims of terrorism. It falls exactly one week after Holocaust Remembrance Day and considering the fact that casualties are very close to home in this small and young country, this day is extremely solemn. You will find places of entertainment closed, flags at half-mast and there are many ceremonies that take place in community centers and by memorials around Jerusalem and Israel. In a way very unique to Israel, Remembrance Day flows straight into Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. As is often customary in Judaism, we remember the heartbreak with the joy. We acknowledge the direct connection between our loss and the independence and sovereignty that we appreciate so much today. Yom Hazikaron is marked on the fourth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. This year it is commemorated from the evening of Wednesday, May 8, 2019 until the evening of Thursday, May 9 (when Independence Day begins). All local media channels are focused on this day of grief and two sirens sound during the 24 hour period when people respectfully come to a standstill. Here are some of the things happening around Jerusalem on Yom Hazikaron: The sirens There are two sirens on Yom Hazikaron. A one minute siren sounds at 8:00 pm on Wednesday evening and a two minute siren sounds at 11:00 am on Thursday. Similar to the siren on Holocaust Memorial Day, people generally stop whatever they are doing – even those driving on the highway – and stand at attention throughout the duration of the siren. It is highly recommended to stand outside for the sirens in order to experience the impact of almost an entire nation coming to a standstill in honor of those who died in order to gain and preserve our freedom. The Day Before – May 7, 2019 Beit Avi Chai A special screening of animated films from Face.Day.Memory project, with musical accompaniment and personal stories of survivors, wars, and terror attacks. Where: Beit Avi Chai, 44 King George Street, Jerusalem When: May 7, 2019 at 9:45 pm Contact for more details: 072-3281853 Memorial Day Eve Events – May 8, 2019 State opening ceremony at the Western Wall An annual ceremony takes place at the Western Wall as the official opening of Israel Remembrance Day. It begins with the one-minute siren at 8:00 pm which is heard throughout the country, during which the flag at the Western Wall is lowered to half-mast. The ceremony is attended by Israel's President, Jerusalem Mayor, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), VIPs, and a large audience of bereaved families. This ceremony which includes prayers, speeches and the lighting of a memorial torch, is broadcast live on Israeli television channels. Where: The Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem When: 8:00 pm Tickets: Invitation only Community Centers Memorial Ceremonies Memorial ceremonies will take place at different neighborhoods around Jerusalem. Ceremonies will include poetry readings and music, memorial candle lighting, flag lowering, wreath-laying, and reading the names of the fallen. Ceremonies will take place in following community centers: Beit HaKerem, Kiryat Moshe, Baka, Gonenim, Gilo, French Hill, Homat Shmuel, Ginot Hair, Musrara, Lev Hair, Neve Ya'akov, Pisgat Ze'ev, Katamon, Kiryat HaYovel, Kiryat Menachem, Romema, Ramot Alon, Shmu'el HaNavi, East Talpiot and 27 Hatzfira Street (at 7:45 pm) The memorial ceremonies will begin at 8:00 pm Memorial Day Events — May 9, 2019 Ceremonies at Jerusalem Monuments City officials, including the mayor and city council members, and high school students will lead ceremonies at monuments in the neighborhoods of Mishkenot Shaananaim/Yemin Moshe, Abu Tor, Ramat Rachel, Armon Hanatziv and Yaar Hashalom. Where: Monuments around the city When: 9:00 am Memorial Day ceremony at Museum of Underground Prisoners A commemoration ceremony in memory of Meir Feinstein and Moshe Barazani, members of Jewish Revisionist underground organizations, with the participation of veterans of the underground and other personalities. Register by phone: 02-6233166 Where: Museum of Underground Prisoners, 1 Mish'ol Hagvura Street, Jerusalem When: 9:00 am Memorial Day ceremony at Safra Square Mayor Nir Barkat and City Manager Amnon Merhav, with representatives of the underground movements, Nahal, pupils of the Sligsberg School, guests and employees of the Municipality of Jerusalem. The ceremony will include words from Jerusalem Mayor, City Manager, Rabbi Yosef A. Wasserman, Chairman of the Jerusalem District Team, Kaddish reading by a bereaved father – a Psalms' chapter, and Yizkor prayer. Where: Safra Square, Jerusalem When: 9:15 am Wreath laying ceremony at Mitzpor Haarbaa A wreath laying ceremony attended by Jerusalem Deputy Mayor, bereaved families, Nahal soldiers and residents. Where: Ha'Eyal Street, Malcha Neighborhood, Jerusalem When: 12:00 pm State ceremonies at Har Herzl Attended by the Israeli Prime Minister, ministers, the mayor of Jerusalem, and families of fallen soldiers and victims of terror Memorial Ceremony for Israel's Fallen Soldiers Where: Mount Herzl, Jerusalem When: 11:00 am State Commemoration Ceremony for Victims of Terrorism Where: Mount Herzl, Jerusalem When: 1:00 pm Public transportation Attendees are asked to arrive by public transportation and avoid using private vehicles due to the expected increase in traffic congestion. For information and details about parking and traffic during Memorial Day Eve and Israel's Memorial Day, please call 106 call center or call *8787 for CallKav call center. |