| There are no three holidays in Jewish tradition that would be so important and so closely related to one another as
Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom Hashoah), Israeli Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) and Israeli Independence Day (Yom
Ha’atzmaut). Holocaust Memorial Day is a mournful holiday in which Jewish people commemorate their fellow countryman who fell a victim of Nazis’ merciless brutality and terror in the WWII. The holiday is marked on the 27th of the Hebrew month Nisan, which falls on the 12th of April in 2010. It is the day when Israel puts on its mourning band: flags are lowered; prayers are uttered; government officials address to the public and express their sorrow; six torches are raised above Israel for the six million victims of Holocaust; and people hang their heads and stand to the sound of sirens for 2 minutes all over the country to express their grief and respect for the dead. Since there are holocaust victims in other countries, many Israeli people traditionally meet for demonstration and participate in various ceremonies outside of Israel, particularly in Poland and Germany. A similar holiday, Israeli Memorial Day, commemorates fallen soldiers who fought for nation’s independence in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Even though Israel’s independence was proclaimed in 1948, there were still numerous victims of terror who protected Israeli people from those who dispute this nation’s right for independence. That is why this holiday is followed by the Independence Day, which symbolizes that these noble soldiers’ blood was not shed in vain. Their heroic deeds still help the nation be free and independent after a long range of Arab oppressions. The traditions and ceremonies of this day are very similar to those observed in Israel on the Holocaust Memorial Day. The holiday is on the 4th day of the Hebrew month Iyar, which is the 19th of April in 2010. Israeli Independence Day, which is held on the next day after Israeli Memorial Day, or rather starts at the sunset of the same day, is a holiday of joy and happiness when people celebrate independence of their country by various performances, dances, marches and fireworks that illuminate almost every Israeli city. |