Yom HaZikaron – Israeli Memorial Day
Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s official national Memorial Day, is a somber day to pay tribute to the tens of thousands of soldiers and victims of terror who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Jewish people and the modern State of Israel. Jewish communities around the world observe the day with moving ceremonies, while those in Israel visit the graves of heroes buried in the land they loved.
On Yom Hazikaron we invite people around the world to virtually unite in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
Join the Yizkor Memorial Prayer led by the KKL-JNF’s Education Representative, and write your own personal prayer or letter to the fallen soldiers of the IDF that expresses the concept of “In their deaths, they commanded us to live.”
Community Activity
E-Learning
Click here to show more E-Learning content ↓
Join the Yizkor Memorial Prayer for Fallen IDF Soldiers and Victims of Terror and Write Your Own Personal or Communal Prayer
At this unprecedented time in history, on Yom Hazikaron we invite people around the world to virtually unite in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Join the
When the Siren Sounds on Mount Herzl
This blog post describes the unique experience of commemorating Yom Hazikaron at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem. Shira Pasternak Be’eri, mother to two IDF soldiers, describes both the national
Yom Hazikaron: “Families Have Been Notified”
Produced by Substantial Truth FilmMakers in honor of Yom Hazikaron, this sobering video (03:46) is a cinematic illustration of an IDF casualty notification officer preparing to share the horrific news of a
Mishnah for the Souls of the Departed
Ten years ago, Lt. Col. Uri Shlomai, of blessed memory, founded the “Mishnah for the Souls of the Departed” Project, through which mishnayot are learned continuously for the entire 24 hours
The Last Words of Fallen Soldiers
Produced by the IDF in honor of Yom Hazikaron in 2016, this heartbreaking video (01:03) reveals the last words of several soldiers who died in Operation Protective Edge in 2014,
IDF Remembers Fallen Soldier Dan Talasnikov
Produced by the IDF in 2012 in honor of Yom Hazikaron, this video (05:08) tells the tragic story of Dan Talasnikov, 21, a paratrooper who was killed by a terrorist
Michael Levin: Fallen Soldier of Israel
This video (06:23) tells the inspiring and tragic story of Michael Levin, an American lone soldier who fell in the Second Lebanon War in 2006 at just 22 years old.
That Moment When Mourning Becomes Celebration
In this touching blog post, Rabbi Ari Abramowitz describes the powerful transition between Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, explaining that the level of joy and gratitude he feels on the
With All Your Soul: Roi Klein’s Extraordinary Act of Self Sacrifice
In Hebrew with English subtitles, this moving video (03:30) tells the extraordinary story of Roi Klein, an Israeli soldier and father of two young children who died during the 2006
Holocaust Survivor Remembers Fallen Survivor-Soldiers
In this moving video from Yad Vashem (02:18), Holocaust survivor Yehuda Szternfeld briefly tells his own story and introduces the initiative he launched to commemorate “The Last Descendants” – survivors who lost
The Story of Esther Dreisinger Koifman (1923-1948)
This page tells the story of Esther Dreisinger Koifman (1923-1948), a Polish Holocaust survivor who lost who entire family in the Holocaust and immigrated to Palestine as part of the
The Last Descendants: The Stories of Mordechai David Gantz & Shalom Tepper
This page on the IDF website introduces the concept of “The Last Descendants” – survivors who immigrated to Palestine alone after losing their entire families in the Holocaust, only to
The Nine Days of ‘We’: Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
In this thought-provoking video (04:42), Avram Infeld suggests a unique way of understanding the process the nation goes through between Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day), and
How Israeli Veterans Transition from Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
In this i24NEWS Memorial Day special (13:24), two Israeli combat veterans – an Israeli-Arab who served in the Second Lebanon War and a trauma counselor who works with IDF soldiers
Yom Hazikaron & Yom Haatzmaut: Remembering That We Are Not Truly Independent
In this thought-provoking video (03:00), Dr. Rachael Turkienicz reflects on the importance symbolism of commemorating Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut back-to-back, suggesting that Jews around the world are never truly “independent,”
The 35 Heroes of Gush Etzion (Video & Teachers’ Guide)
This post provides excellent educational resources about the 35 soldiers who were killed during the War of Independence trying to bring supplies to the kibbutzim in the besieged Etzion Bloc
A Twice Bereaved Mother Discusses the Purpose of Yom Hazikaron
In this moving video (06:03), educator and inspirational speaker Miriam Peretz tells the story of how she continued to live after two of her sons, Uriel and Eliraz, were killed
A Message from the URJ for Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
In this short video, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the President of the Union for Reform Judaism, encourages viewers to commemorate, connect and commit to Israel on the country’s memorial and independence
The Impossible Transition Between Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut
In this 6:20 long video, Daniel Gordis describes the challenge and meaning behind the transition between the deep grief of Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day, and the joy and celebration
In Search of a Poetic Ritual for Yom HaZikaron/Ha’Atzmaut
In this blog post, Rabbi Ela Merom asks complex questions about how we use communal memory as we move through the sorrow of Yom HaZikaron to the exuberance of Yom Ha’Atzmaut. She encourages
What is Yom Ha’atzmaut and How is it Celebrated?
This 3 and a half minute long video provides a thorough introduction to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, focusing on the various religious and secular customs that have developed to celebrate this special day
Music
Click here to show more Music content ↓
20 000 Brothers: A Tribute Song to Sean Carmeli
In Hebrew with English subtitles, this powerful song was written by Ariel Horowitz as a tribute to First Sgt. Nissim Sean Carmeli, a lone soldier who was among the first killed
The Nachal Band: Song of Friendship
Written by Haim Gouri at the end of the War of Independence and most famously sung by The Nachal Band, a military entertainment troupe, this moving song is a memorial
Yaffa Yarkoni: In the Plains of the Negev
Originally written in Russian by P. Mamaychuk in 1943 with music by L. Shokhin, this song was translated to a Hebrew marching song called “There, Far in the Forest,” which was
Natan Alterman / Yehoram Gaon: The Silver Platter
This haunting song conveys the great sacrifices upon which the State of Israel was establishment. Soon after the release of the UN Partition Plan of 1947, Chaim Weizmann, who would
Natan Alterman: Elifelet
Performed here by the IDF for Memorial Day, this song, written as a poem by Natan Alterman in 1959 and put to music by Sasha Argov, tells the story of
With What Shall I Bless Him?
Written by Rachel Shapira in memory of her classmate Eldad Krock, a young reservist killed in the in the Six Day War, this this sad song is about an angel blessing
Gad Elbaz: The Prayer for the IDF
This video presents popular Israeli artist Gad Elbaz’s musical rendition of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, which is often recited in Zionist synagogues on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The prayer, composed
Kobi Oz: Prayer for the State of Israel
This video presents Israeli musician Kobi Oz’s original version for the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel. Born in the southern city of Sderot to Tunisian parents who moved to the British
HaTikvah: The National Anthem of the State of Israel
This video presents Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah (The Hope), with on-screen Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. Adapted from a poem written in 1877 by Naftali Herz Imber, a Jewish poet from
The Pendulum: Between Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
This somber song by Kaila Shabat touches on the challenge of moving from the intense grief of Yom Hazikaron to the joyous celebration of Yom Ha’azmaut. Kaila Shabat, a poet
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel, which is often recited in Zionist synagogues on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The prayer
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, which is often recited in Zionist synagogues on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The prayer,
Yaffa Yarkoni: Bab el Wad
Written by Haim Gouri, composed by Shmuel Farshko and performed by Yaffa Yarkoni, this moving song commemorates the battles of Bab El Wad / Sha’ar Hagai during the War of
What Else?
Click here to show more What Else? content ↓
Natan Alterman / Yehoram Gaon: The Silver Platter
This haunting song conveys the great sacrifices upon which the State of Israel was establishment. Soon after the release of the UN Partition Plan of 1947, Chaim Weizmann, who would
The 35 Heroes of Gush Etzion (Video & Teachers’ Guide)
This post provides excellent educational resources about the 35 soldiers who were killed during the War of Independence trying to bring supplies to the kibbutzim in the besieged Etzion Bloc
Natan Alterman: Elifelet
Performed here by the IDF for Memorial Day, this song, written as a poem by Natan Alterman in 1959 and put to music by Sasha Argov, tells the story of
Address by Israeli President Ezer Weizman in Germany
This post presents the full text of President Ezer Weizman’s famous speech in a joint session for the two chambers of parliament in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1996.
Remembrance & Renewal: Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Children
This post presents a series of fun and educational games and activities about the history and significance of the State of Israel for children from ages 8-12. Created by the
Prayer for the Peace of Israel During Wartime
This prayer for the peace of Israel during wartime was written by the late Rabbi Ron Aigen for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Rabbi Aigen was the senior rabbi of the
A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People
This prayer for peace and reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people was written by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Rabbi Feinsmith is a Jewish educator, innovative prayer
Beit Tefilah Israeli’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Havdalah: A Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, a Hebrew and English ceremony written by Beit Tefilah Israeli that celebrates Israel’s national
The Masorti Movement’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Twilight: Moving from Memorial to Independence, a ceremony written by the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel to mark the transition between Yom
Rituals & Ceremonies
Click here to show more Rituals & Ceremonies content ↓
Yizkor: The Memorial Prayer in Honor of Yom HaZikaron
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of the special Yizkor Memorial Prayer recited on Yom Hazikaron in honor of Israel’s fallen soldiers, security forces, and victims of
Prayer for the Peace of Israel During Wartime
This prayer for the peace of Israel during wartime was written by the late Rabbi Ron Aigen for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Rabbi Aigen was the senior rabbi of the
A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People
This prayer for peace and reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people was written by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Rabbi Feinsmith is a Jewish educator, innovative prayer
WUJS’s Thought Provoking Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Students
This link will take you to Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities, a site with several thought provoking activities that encourage students in the Diaspora to engage with Israel in a meaningful way. Written as full lesson
A Reconstructionist Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts for the Prayer for the State of Israel from the Reconstructionist Kol Haneshama siddur. Based on the traditional prayer, this version focuses
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel, which is often recited in Zionist synagogues on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The prayer
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, which is often recited in Zionist synagogues on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The prayer,
An Amended Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for a new version of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, amended by Dr. Alex Sinclair to reflect the
Beit Tefilah Israeli’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Havdalah: A Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, a Hebrew and English ceremony written by Beit Tefilah Israeli that celebrates Israel’s national
The Masorti Movement’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Twilight: Moving from Memorial to Independence, a ceremony written by the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel to mark the transition between Yom
Traditional Practices - Learn How
Click here to show more Traditional Practices - Learn How content ↓
Remembrance & Renewal: Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Children
This post presents a series of fun and educational games and activities about the history and significance of the State of Israel for children from ages 8-12. Created by the
HaTikvah: The National Anthem of the State of Israel
This video presents Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah (The Hope), with on-screen Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. Adapted from a poem written in 1877 by Naftali Herz Imber, a Jewish poet from
WUJS’s Thought Provoking Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Students
This link will take you to Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities, a site with several thought provoking activities that encourage students in the Diaspora to engage with Israel in a meaningful way. Written as full lesson
Click here to show less Traditional Practices - Learn How content ↑