Yom Hazikaron,To Remember

While in most of the world it might be easy to miss Yom Hazikaron,

in Jerusalem, it is impossible to forget.

From announcements of major events of the day on the side of a bus

 

to a display of memorial candles in the shampoo aisle in the supermarket,

it is a day to remember

fallen soldiers

and the victims of terror attacks.

Since the Passover holiday ended, flags have been placed

on the tops of public buildings,

on businesses,

 and on private residences.

From the hat shop in the center of town

to the walls of the Old City,

the blue and white Israeli flag

seems to be everywhere.

As the sun set on Sunday night, local community ceremonies were held,

and major events were broadcast on television and radio.

The Churva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City was adorned with flags, waiting for visitors,

but mincha, the afternoon prayer service in the newly restored sanctuary was poorly attended.

Most views of the Kotel, the Western Wall plaza were blocked for security reasons,

as the official National commemoration began

with the honor guard and lighting of a memorial flame.

The new Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces, Lt. General  Benny Gantz addressed the public

after a speech by President Shimon Peres,

but those without the special tickets would have had a much better view at home on TV.

Heading home, the stores of Mamilla Mall and places of entertainment and food were all closed.

Monday many services, both public and private, are held to remember those who died…

and those soldiers still missing.

As soon as Yom Hazikaron ends at nightfall, as every year,

Yom Ha’atzmaut,  Israel Independence Day…begins.

3 thoughts on “Yom Hazikaron,To Remember

  • May 10, 2011 at 6:57 am
    Permalink

    This year Remembrance Day seemed (for me) more poignant somehow. There were far too many young bereaved widows left with small children and new born babies. The still shocking pictures of the murdered Fogel family shown during the ceremony again made one’s heart stop beating for a second. I closed my eyes when the pictures were shown again hoping not to see baby Hadas – but opened by eyes too soon and the face of the sleeping, sweet, innocent baby still brings tears to my eyes. Not to detract from the tragedies and anguish of all our peoples pain at losing their loved sons, husbands, fathers, daughters, sisters and mothers to evil, sub-human monsters.
    I attach an e-mail I received and which I think is pertinent to this subject
    “Our Remembrance Day” and without the author’s permission, wish to present it on this forum for thought and discussion.

    Ben Laden’s One Mistake
    By Shmuel Sackett
    International Director, Manhigut Yehudit

    One thing made Osama bin Laden public enemy #1. One thing made him a target for America’s hit squad. One thing – and only one thing – made his assassination justified and praised by world leaders. He didn’t just kill Jews. Had he limited his terrorism to Jews only, he would not have been targeted. The same world leaders, who today take great pride in his death, would have celebrated his life. He would not have been killed by President Obama, he would have dined with him. He would have been invited to the United Nations. He would have been a featured speaker on the world speaking tour. He would have won the Noble peace prize.
    Think I’m crazy?
    Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the President of Iran. His resume includes a lot more than just politics. It has been proven that he personally ordered the attacks against the Jewish community of Argentina where hundreds of Jews were killed. He has stated – time and again – that he wants to destroy Israel. He wants to kill the 6,000,000 Jews (interesting number) who live there and he is feverishly working to build a bomb that will do just that. Has he been targeted? Is this animal on any one’s “hit list”? Actually, just the opposite is true. He recently spoke in the UN. He was a guest speaker in Columbia University. Why? Because he is only interested in killing Jews.
    Khaled Mashaal is the leader of Hamas. Hamas is the sworn enemy of Israel. It has killed over 1,500 Jews in the last 10 years. It has fired over 5,000 missiles into Israel, aiming for Jewish homes and hoping to kill Jewish children. Has he been targeted? Is this beast on any one’s “hit list”? Actually, just the opposite is true. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently invited Mashaal to Moscow. Former USA President Jimmy Carter has embraced Mashaal and considers him a partner for peace. Why? Because he is only interested in killing Jews.
    Yassir Arafat was the founder and leader of the PLO. He has more innocent blood on his hands than Osama bin Laden.Yet, this murderer was invited numerous times to dine with President Bill and First Lady Hillary Clinton in the White House. He spoke in the UN. He was accepted around the world as a leader and spoke in over 30 countries. He won the Noble Peace Prize. Why? Because he was only interested in killing Jews.
    Although I can go on, I will give just one final example: Adolph Hitler. The world knew about concentration camps as early as 1933. The world knew about Kristellnacht back in November of 1938. Yet, the entire world called this monster; Herr Hitler. They gave him respect. They recognized him as a leader. All that changed when Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. From that point on he became an enemy. Why? Because until that day he was interested in killing Jews only…
    Osama bin Laden violated the golden rule: In addition to killing just Jews, he also killed non-Jews. That is why he was targeted and for no other reason!
    The message to Jews – and the State of Israel – is very clear.
    Learn to defend yourself.
    Learn to take revenge yourself.
    The world will not help you with Iran or Hamas.
    Ahmadinejad and Mashaal will not make the same mistake as Bin Laden and will continue to be accepted and embraced by the world.
    Understand this, accept this and deal with this.
    “We have no one on which to rely, other than our Father in Heaven”.
    May today’s Jewish leaders – and the brave warriors of the IDF – engrave this on their hearts.
    And may they – very soon – do to these terrorists exactly what was done to Bin Laden.

    Reply
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