Shabbat is immediately followed
by the holiday of Shavuot this year.
Counting down 7 weeks since Passover,
this holiday is known for dairy meals,
learning Torah all night,
plants and flowers and more flowers.
שבת שלום
חג שמח
culture
After Israeli Independence Day Celebrations
Celebrations for Yom Haatzmaut,
Israel Independence Day,
have come to an end for this year.
There were lots of ceremonies, and the Bible Quiz on TV,
and flags flying above the streets and on buildings,
and little Israeli flags clipped on to cars.
As usual, Gan Sacher,
Sacher Park, was the scene of hundreds of family picnics.
People brought chairs and tables and bags of food,
and even mattresses for comfort.
But this couch was a first.
There were smiles from strangers and tents.
Smoke from grills and the sounds of karaoke filled the air.
During the afternoon planes of all sizes
appeared in formation
in the blue skies
and thrilled the crowds below.
Beautiful children with flags and balloons
enjoyed the celebrations.
A group of lone soldiers enjoyed some serious ribs,
grills were fired up all day to feed the hundreds that came.
Tens of thousands celebrated in Gan Sacher,
including one special group of girls,
Bnot Sherut, girls from overseas who are spending
their “gap year” volunteering in Israel.
The media missed their dance performance, but they did find this family
who were happy to share their opinions
of what a beautiful day it was,
concluding with a rousing,
“AM YISRAEL CHAI.”
No it is not snow, even if it’s called “sheleg,”
it’s the dreadful white shaving cream stuff,
this couple found some tinted pink
and had a great time spraying it all around.
I was happy to see less of that messy stuff this year.
And security?
Policewomen were seen checking out the food.
That was all on Thursday, now on Sunday,
I hope this heat wave is over quickly.
The heat and humidity keep me off the streets
and inside with the air conditioner running.
With the holidays over,
it is time for more festivals,.
Education starts tomorrow with an event at the Israel Museum,
and the Jerusalem Light Festival in the Old City
which begins next week, plus
an International Writers’ Festival and Lag B’Omer—
all will be happening in Jerusalem, Israel.
Yad Vashem: Behind the Camera on Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day,
is international, but more intense in Jerusalem, Israel,
from a simple memorial candle display in a hotel lobby,
to the national commemoration at Yad Vashem.
Since the program is televised at 8:00 pm,
it starts on time,
people start arriving hours early to the plaza.
The honor guard poses for photographs before.
One of the six survivors honored to light a memorial flame,
Joseph Labi and son Maurice were kind enough to pose,
more on his story next week when there is time.
This was one of my favorite photos.
The sky at sunset was a scene stealer this year.
When the Prime Minister enters all stand, block the view,
and either try for a handshake or cellphone photo,
and it is a large crowd of hundreds.
Rabbi Meir Lau, a child survivor, lit the large memorial flame
after the Israeli flag was lowered to half mast.
After President Reuven Rvilin spoke,
PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for 15 minutes,
using his hands to emphasize a point.
Six flames, six survivors,
one for each million murdered by the Nazis,
in the Shoah, Holocaust, each with an incredible story.
During the videos retelling their stories,
you could hear a pin drop,
no one coughed, no one moved,
except to wipe away tears.
After the program ended,
I held my camera high to see who was in the crowd.
But in the sea of invited guests,
with Israeli political and military leaders,
a large German government representation,
it was hard to find anyone.
However, US Ambassador Dan Shapiro lingered
to talk with this family.
Many selfies were taken that night,
but this last one of the night is a favorite.
For too many families remembering is not a once a year event,
but a lifetime spent reliving horrors.
However, from the depths and sadness,
the signs are up for
Yom Haatzmaut,
Independence Day giant celebrations
are being planned for next week,
in Jerusalem, Israel.
But first,
Shabbat shalom.
שבת שלום