Yom Hazikaron

Yom Hazikaron (Begins) History

Yom HaZikaron, also known as Israeli Memorial Day, serves as a day of remembrance for the soldiers and victims of terrorism who lost their lives fighting for the State of Israel. This observance is a national expression of mourning, reflective contemplation, and deep respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As a vital aspect of Israeli culture, it carries immense emotional weight, uniting communities across the country in shared grieving.

The tradition of Yom HaZikaron dates back to 1951, originating as a commemoration of soldiers who died during the War of Independence. Its observance was later broadened to include victims of terrorism. Important to note for an American audience is the close proximity of Yom HaZikaron to Yom Ha’atzmaut, the Israeli Independence Day. This adjacency of deep national mourning immediately before the celebration of independence is a poignant demonstration of the bitter struggle and ongoing price paid for the establishment and maintenance of the State of Israel. This emotional shift, often referred to as the transition from darkness into light, perhaps resonates with the American tradition of Memorial Day, a time of remembrance followed by Independence Day celebrations.

The observances of Yom HaZikaron in America is conducted by Israeli communities, Jewish organizations, and synagogues, often including ceremonies, prayer services, and communal gatherings. Much like how Memorial Day is observed in the U.S, there's an emphasis on remembering fallen soldiers, with commemoration events often incorporating moments of silence, speeches, and the recitation of names of those who have died. There is no set date for the observance within America as the date is based on the Hebrew calendar, but Yom HaZikaron generally falls in April or May.

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Facts about Yom HaZikaron

• The theme for Yom HaZikaron in 2025 was Together We Remember. In 2024 the theme was We Are One.
• Flags are flown at half-mast, places of entertainment are closed, and radio and television programming are dedicated solely to documentaries, stories of heroic battles and lives lost in war or terrorist attacks.
• Yom HaZikaron begins with an official ceremony at the Western Wall, as the flag of Israel is lowered to half staff. Places of entertainment are closed for the day by law. Radio and television stations play programs about Israel's wars and show programming that conveys the somber mood of the day.
• Israel’s national memorial flower is the Dam Hamaccabim flower (Hebrew: דם המכבים, Blood of the Maccabees)

In the News and Trending in the US for Yom Hazikaron

Top things to do in the US for Yom HaZikaron

• Wear a special Yizkor sticker if you have lost a loved one. These stickers are meant to honor and remember those soldiers killed in war.
• Attend a public memorial. Many are held throughout Israel including one at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl.
• Watch a short film for Yom HaZikaron. Here are our suggestions:
  A Bravery Fiercer than Death: The 35 Heroes of Gush Etzion (2013)
  Echoes of a Shofar (2012)
  The Volunteers: Answering the Call of History (2011)