Israel's Memorial Days

In Israel, two important days are marked each year to remember the casualties of wars. The Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day are only a week apart.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

The UN has decided only recently, over sixty years after WWII, that a day to remember the victims of the holocaust should be decided upon, that there should be a united International front against those who choose to ignore or deny this horrifying historical upheaval. In Israel there has been a day in memory of the holocaust victims since 1959.

On the night before Holocaust Remembrance Day all "places of amusement" are to be closed, and on the day itself (10:00) there is a siren sounded throughout the country during which people stand for two moments of silence. On this day there are many talks, ceremonies and other events to remember this unthinkable tragedy in the history of the Jewish people. Restaurants and cafes are open on the day itself as are shops, supermarkets etc.

For further information regarding the remembrance of the Holocaust and about the exhibitions and events you could visit Yadvashem's website: http://www.yadvashem.org/

Memorial Day

Israel's Memorial Day is dated only a week after the Holocaust Remembrance Day (in the Jewish calendar). Immediatly after the painful ceremonies of remembrance, the celebrations of Israel's Independence begin, on the evening of Memorial Day. This order of things is very symbolic to Israel and its social reality, remembrance followed up by national reinforcement of the society, celebrations of the Independence that was fought for by so many.

On Memorial Day there are two sirens sounded, one on the evening before and one on the day itself (11:00). Throughout the day there are ceremonies and events to remeber the casualties of war and terror attacks. On the eve of Memorial Day (the night before) all place are closed, but on the day itself the cafes and restaurants are open, as on Holocaust Day. As mentioned, towards the evening the celebrations of Israel's Independence begin, and the sad tunes played on the radio make way for cheerful ones.

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Holocaust Remembrance Day

Memorial Day

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