Mem Moment | Songs for Days
Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut
The transition and observance between Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance of Fallen Soldiers) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day) is always filled with deep seated emotions and the wonder of how to frame it. This year, like last, during a war in Israel, it’s especially challenging. The song Giborei Al, by Hatikva 6 it a touching reminder that the soldiers of Israel are regular people. A student, a teacher, a model, a toy store owner. The last part of the song goes: “It’s true, they all seem ordinary here, but we are a nation of superheroes, in each one, a soldier always hides, ready to save the world. And it doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of life or in the middle of a soccer game, everyone will leave everything in a second if the flag calls them, here it’s not a parallel universe, not a Marvel reality. Not a ‘Marvel’ reality. This is our story – the nation of Israel.” These words are a reminder that each fallen soldier tells a story. They are real people — sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends that deserve to have their names remembered for a blessing; something we do on Yom HaZikaron.
Those memories lead nicely into Sof Tov, by Yoni Bloch. This upbeat video uses AI images to imagine what life in Israel could be like when peace prevails. It has images of things such as signs welcoming all the hostages home, being able to argue over the stupid things like traffic jams, Israeli’s flying wherever they want in the world, crossing borders with Israel’s neighbors to see the pyramids and hike, and seeing military bases and weapons closed and collecting dust from lack of use. It even imagines a Taylor Swift Peace Concert in Israel. The chorus to this song goes: “Other than that, we’re already here. And we have nowhere to leave to. So even if we don’t achieve anything, at least we’ll start with a good ending.” Using the pain of now, this song lets us dream about tomorrow and celebrate the State of Israel; themes of Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
Both songs underscore the reality that things are not normal in Israel, and it’s hard to figure out how to commemorate both holidays. We know that across the Jewish community, and the Mem Global communities, there exists a wide swath of beliefs about Israel. In one breath there is criticism of the Israeli Government and admiration for it. Pain for the 59 hostages still not home, heartache for those who lost lives on October 7th and after, sadness for those Israelis and Gazans still not back in their homes. There are some who are filled with a resolute fervor to fight until the end just as there are those who have an insatiable desire to bring about peace now at any cost. There is not one belief, nor one way to end this war, just as there is not one way to talk about Israel and observe these holidays. It’s up to us to figure out how to remember lives lost and celebrate the very existence of the State of Israel as a haven and homeland for the Jewish people.
- Do the songs help you convey your emotions on Israel?
- Can music be a way to allow constructive dialogue?
- How will you commemorate Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut in your communities?