Dear Friends,
Today is Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s memorial day, and our hearts are with our Israeli siblings as they mourn and remember parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, and close friends who were killed in defense of the State of Israel. Though many of us are not Israeli ourselves, we recognize that our destinies are intertwined. Today, we show our love and solidarity by remembering them as well. We honor the memory of the thousands of brave people who sacrificed everything so that Jews everywhere could have a place to call home. And, tragically, we also remember the thousands of innocent lives taken in acts of terror throughout Israel’s brief 74-year existence.
While Yom HaZikaron is set aside as a day of remembering, Yom Ha’atzmaut immediately follows in tribute to the independence for which they fought. Part of our mission as a synagogue is to educate our children and young adults to understand the critical importance of a vibrant and strong Israel. This is not just something we express one day of the year, but rather, it is a value we integrate into the very fabric of our community. Last year, we introduced new rituals to mark the joy and gratitude we feel on Yom Ha’atzmaut and we will continue the custom of reciting Hallel this year as a reflection of our commitment to the State of Israel. The establishment of a sovereign Jewish nation in our historic homeland is nothing short of a miracle.
This year we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with the launch of our new center for Jewish music, Shoresh Halev. Our program begins tonight, in person, at 7:30 PM with a Yom HaZikaron Tekes followed by Ma’ariv, which includes a special musical Hallel and a concert by the popular Israeli musical band, Nava Tehilla. If you plan on joining us in person but haven't yet registered, please do so by clicking here. Our youth and family engagement department is also bringing a bus of children to participate in the southern Yom Haatzmaut celebration at the Leffell School tomorrow afternoon.
As we enter into these days of solidarity, memory, and joy, let us remember each and every life that was lost for the sake of building and securing our homeland. May we ensure that their sacrifice never be taken for granted and may we celebrate the great joy of the Jewish State by spending as much time there as we are able.
We wish those remembering a loved one today a sense of connection and comfort. And as we transition into Yom Ha’atzmaut, we wish all of us a Chag Atzmaut Sameach!
L’shalom,
Rabbi David Schuck
Rabbi Zach Sitkin
Rabbi Jessica Fisher
Cantor Gaby Schvartz
