Yom HaZikaron By Rabbi Shari Shamah, Jewish Life Specialist

One of the most impactful moments of Yom HaZikaron in Israel is the siren. Every year at 8:00 pm when the commemoration begins, and again at 11:00 am the next morning, the air raid siren sounds all over Israel. Everyone stops right where they are and observes a moment of silence for those soldiers who have fallen in service to the State of Israel, as well as victims of terror. Whether in a car, in a grocery store, at home, or at work, the nation stops to mourn. Since 1963, this tradition has served as a powerful memorial for those Israel has lost.

In thinking about the observance this year (beginning today, May 12th at sundown) it feels different. No matter what is done, it feels like too much, or not enough. How do you support a nation where just about every Israeli knows someone(s) who was murdered or abducted on October 7th? How do you support victims of terror when there are still hostages in captivity and whose families have been stopping and grieving every single second since October 7th? How do you recount the blessings of each one of the more than 1,200 names that have been added to the Yahrzeit list this year for Yom HaZikaron?

How do you also embrace those who are conflicted about the complexity of this war and are devastated by the extent of the innocent lives lost on both sides. How can we mourn for Israel’s fallen and still hold the innocent Gazans who have died in our hearts all at the same time?

Proverbs 24:17 teaches “If your enemy falls, do not exult; If he trips, let your heart not rejoice.” These are the two truths that we hold in our hearts for Yom HaZikaron this year as we try and figure it out. It feels like too much, and not enough all in one breath.  

How are you holding many truths this year? How will you impart the impact of the siren to your community when it sounds this evening?