From Yom Hashoah to Yom Haatzmaut

This time of year is always busy,

 starting with Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,

until after Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

Six symbolic torches were lit at Yad Vashem on Yom Hashoah

Yom Hashoad at Yad Vashem six torch lighters

for the six million Jews murdered in World War II.

Another symbol of mourning is

Knesset flag at half mast

the large Israeli flag on top of the Knesset

Israel flag half mast

flown at half-mast.

Israeli flags on cars

Small Israeli flags can be found on cars

Israeli flags draped down side of police station

and huge ones unfurled down buildings.

This week even the skies were blue and white,

Clouds in sky over open road outside Jerusalem Israel

from the road leading out of the Judean Hills,

blue sky and clouds over Kineret

and all the way up over the Kinerret.

There were hundreds of ceremonies

for Yom Hazikaron,

remembering the fallen soldiers and victims of terror,

all 23,447 who lost their lives.

One new and special program this year

ammunition hill

was held at Givat HaTachmoshet,

Ammunition Hill.

As the sun set and the memorial siren sounded,

a capacity crowd was on hand

to remember lone soldiers who fell,

it was sponsored by

The Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin.

Israeli soldiers marching

An honor guard watched as the Israeli flag was lowered

memorial flames

and a memorial flame was lit.

Israeli soldier with rifle

Young people supporting and giving comfort to each other,

wore these Yizkor strips on their hearts,

Yizkor sticker

remembering those who lost their lives.

From nightfall and during the entire day,

thousands visited to the military cemeteries,

from Har Herzl and gravesides throughout Israel.

But as soon as Yom Hazikaron ends,

Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day begins,

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence,

Beit Hanasi garden Herzl bust

is getting ready for a big day of celebrations.

The gardens in front and back

Back gardens Beit Hanasi

are ready for the invited guests.

inside Beit Hanasi waiting room

The waiting room inside has had a makeover.

120 selected IDF soldiers will be honored

on Yom Haatzmaut.

Since some of their faces cannot be shown,

soliders being honored Beit Hanasi Jerusalem Israel

 this photo from the back will have to suffice.

President Reuven Rivlin came out at the rehearsal

and seemed to really enjoy

President REuven Rivlin greets soldiers to be honored on Yom Haatzmaut

the few moments he spoke with the honorees.

The pilots of special planes also rehearsed this week

planes in air show Jerusalem Israel for Independence Day

 for the traditional mid-day air show.

From mourning

we turn to celebration

and preparing for

 Yom Haatznaut,

68 in flowers at Beit Hanasi

Israel at 68.

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