Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) in Israel and America
Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) is a very different experience in Israel than in America. In America, Memorial Day is a time to remember soldiers who died thousands of miles away, defending “liberty” or “America’s strategic interests.” The photo at left is of a memorial I passed on my morning run today; it is dedicated to soldiers who died at that spot, defending my neighborhood.
The monument includes the names of nine soldiers killed in the area during the battle in June 1967; it says it is dedicated to the soldiers who fell in the battle for Armon Hanatziv (the neighborhood also known as East Talpiot), that brought about the way for the liberation of Jerusalem and the reunification of the city.
That’s just one of the many things that makes it a much more meaningful, poignant, and personal holiday here.
Here are a few of other differences between Memorial Day in Israel and Memorial Day in America:
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In America, kids have a day off and go camping, to the mall, the beach, etc. |
In Israel, kids go to a tekes (ceremony), either at their school or some other venue; one daughter this morning was at Mt. Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery with her class. |
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In America, very few people know anyone who lost a close friend or family member defending the country. |
Is Israel, everyone knows someone who lost a loved one defending the country. |
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In America, listening to the radio the only way you know it’s Memorial Day is because of the sales being advertised. |
In Israel the radio stations all play music appropriate to the day. |
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In America it would be easy to miss the fact that it’s Memorial Day. |
In Israel you can’t miss the fact that it’s Memorial Day: at 8pm and at 11am a siren goes off. This morning I stood in my office on the 16th floor and watched traffic all around come to a stop with the drivers respectfully standing by their cars. |
