Yom Hazikaron - Israeli Remembrance Day 2026

Today is one of the most significant days of the year in Israel - Yom Hazikaron.  The Day of Remembrance of fallen soldiers and  security personnel - and victims of terrorism. In many ways, I would say it is the most important day to be in Israel. For someone who really wants to understand the country - being here on this day provides a real window to the soul of the country.

At 8 p.m. last night, the commemorations began with a one minute siren across the country - marking the start of commemorative ceremonies in every city or town.

Here in Ra'anana, we went at about 7 p.m. to be able to find seats.  By 7:30 p.m., the outdoor Yad L'Banim venue was overflowing.  Thousands of people, young and old, religious and secular, men and women, all attending to remember those who have fallen.  All of the stores and restaurants in the city closed early.  Many streets were closed off. 

These events are incredibly moving and powerful.  Not too many dry eyes.  It began at 8 p.m. with the national siren blaring.  There were some speeches - by the Mayor of Ra'anana Chaim Broide and by the chair of the Organization of Bereaved Families.  The event also included videos of stories of a few of the fallen soldiers - and footage of some different war time experiences and events.  In between the speeches and the videos, there were live musical performances.  This year's singer was exceptional. Unfortunately, I don't have his name handy (I will try to update the blog when I have it).  But he sang 4 songs over the course of the evening.  Two of them were based on poems or songs that had been written by soldiers before they were killed and then put to music later.  He sang these pieces with such emotion.  The audience was silent - you could hear a pin drop when he stopped singing.  

The ceremony is also divided with the reading out of the names of the all of the fallen soldiers, security personnel and victims of terror from Ra'anana - in two groups by the year they fell.  Names are read out from 1948 until the present day with a break in the early 1970s. 

Unfortunately, it is long list.  For each name, a picture of the individual appears on the screen.   I was curious to see how many years there have been in which no one from Ra'anana was killed.  Since 1978, I counted 12 years in total. Just 12 years out of the last 48.  

The ceremony also includes the reading of a Yizkor prayer, the "El Maleh Rahamim" sung by one of Ra'anana's Chazanim and of course the singing of Hatikvah at the end (Israel's national anthem).  They don't say Kaddish at these commemorations which seems a bit strange to me.  The ceremony runs for about an hour and a half.

For people who do not want to or cannot attend in person, Israeli TV broadcasts the national ceremony from Jerusalem - with some of Israel's most well known singers, politicians, army personnel and representatives of the bereaved families.

After the ceremony, Israeli TV broadcasts an evening of solemn Yom Hazikaron songs on a program called "Music in the Square."  The music is powerful, emotional, but also incredibly sad.  But that is the way Israelis commemorate the day - by watching or attending at musical performances at some of the saddest - but some of the best Israeli music.

Yom Hazikaron is such an important day because most people know someone who died in battle or was related to someone who was killed.  The Israeli army is still very much a "people's army."  With national  conscription, most Israelis, men and women, wind up serving.  After their compulsory service of 2-3 years, they become part of the "reserves" and are called to serve for a few (or several) weeks per year.  

This means that whenever there is a war, everyone has to take responsibility for defending the country.  It is our neighbours, our families, our friends and their children - who put on their uniforms and defend the country.

Since  2023, the army has played a central role  in the lives of so many Israelis.  With the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas and subsequently Hezbollah - and then Iran and the Houthis - reserves were called up in massive numbers - to show up and help Israel defend itself. Many  reserve soldiers have served hundreds of days since 2023 - far more than they would have had to in the past. This has disrupted their lives to an unimaginable degree.

On October 7, 2023, approximately 1200 Israelis were killed including more than 825 civilians, who were killed in their homes or while attending the Nova music festival.  The Hamas terrorists who carried out these attacks had plans to get to other cities and settlements in Israel and murder thousands more people.  Israeli reserves and security personnel across the country mobilized as quickly as they could that day and rushed to the Gaza envelope area to help fight off these attacks.  A son of one of the members of our synagogue.  One of our daughter's best friend's husband.  A few of the soldier's who had been in our son's unit.  These are just a few of the people that we know of who fell in battle.

Throughout the history of modern Israel, since 1948, things have been rocky. There have been far too many wars.  Israel is surrounded by hostile neighbours - some of whom (like Iran) have vowed to destroy the country.  But the people remain hopeful.  We have peace deals with Egypt, Jordan the United Arab Emirates. There is talk that we may be close to a peace deal with Saudi Arabia and perhaps peace with Lebanon is a possibility - and maybe even Syria.  Hopefully one day, that list will include Iran and Iraq as well - and the other remaining countries throughout the Middle East so that Yom Hazikaron will not need to be such a gaping, open wound each year.

But for now, Yom Hazikaron is not distant at all.  It is very immediate. Now as we still face threats that the war between the U.S. and Iran may restart or the war between Israel and Hezbollah (Lebanon) may restart as early as tomorrow, there is a very real concern that more Israeli soldiers and civilians could be in very serious danger.

At 11 a.m. this morning, there was a two minute siren across the country.  Right afterwards, ceremonies were held at all of the military ceremonies across the country.  There was also a televised national ceremony from Jerusalem - featuring a speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu.  This was a much shorter event than the events last night.  It was followed by televised musical performances and movies, documentaries and clips about different Israeli operations and fallen soldiers.

Overall it was one of those days on which we feel an incredible range of emotions.  First of all - sadness and devastation at the loss.  The effect on so many families - that lost sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents, friends, spouses and partners.  Then there is pride - the notion that the country pulls together to defend the country and the people of Israel - that people view this as their responsibility - to ensure the continued existence of the State of Israel - and the safety and well-being of their fellow Israelis - their family, friends, neighbours.  And then - certainly - there is also some fear and uncertainty.  What will come next?  Will we ever get to a state of peace here?  Is it all worth it?

Hard questions to answer.  Certainly the tie-in between Yom Hashoah v'Hagevurah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day) that we observed last week - and Yom Hazikaron today  - illustrates the fragility of the Jewish experience worldwide.  Looking around at the world today - and the growing instances of anti-Semitism - it seems all too obvious that the Jewish people need the State of  Israel - in a very real and existential way.  The future of the Jewish communities in so many countries seems tenuous - even countries in which Jews seemed to be thriving and safe for so many years.  

Against that backdrop, I would say that overall, the feelings of pride and responsibility ultimately outweigh the grief and sadness - and the commemoration of Yom Hazikaron becomes a powerful day of remembrance - but also a day of determination - and even thankfulness - to those who were lost in battle and for the great things that were accomplished because of so many Israelis who have actively participated in building the country.

And soon - as Yom Hazikaron comes to a conclusion - we transition to one of the happiest  days of the year - Yom Haatzmaut - Israel Independence Day. Tonight we will mark 78 years since the founding of the modern State of Israel.  The two days are situated so closely together as an ever present reminder that it is the determination and sacrifices of so many of our soldiers that enabled the State to grow, develop and thrive.

Let's hope that over time, our celebrations of Yom Haatzmaut will take place without overhanging clouds of war - and with an emphasis on the joy and happiness of independence rather than such a contemporaneous feeling of loss caused by war.

Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut 2022 and the Movie "My Tree"

The period of about three weeks from Pesach (Passover) to Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) is densely packed with commemorations and celebrations.  We start with the holiday of Passover, known as the "time of our freedom."  Shortly after that, Israel commemorates Yom Hashoah v'Hagvurah - the day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and Bravery.

One week later, Israeli Remembrance Day, Yom Hazikaron, a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers, police and other security officials and victims of terror - in Israel and outside of Israel - is commemorated and then one day later it is Israeli Independence Day.  These are powerful and emotional days filled with compelling public ceremonies, observances and rituals.

I have written about some of this in the past so I am not going to rehash what I have previously written.  But I thought I would highlight a few things.  

The combination of  Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut all emphasize the importance of Israel - the tremendous price that Jews have paid before they had a state - and then to establish  and maintain the State, the need for the state as the defender of the Jewish people around the world, and the fragility and preciousness of the state along with its resilience.

On Yom Hashoah (You can watch this year's ceremony here), six Holocaust survivors are called up to light memorial torches.  Their stories are told before they come up.  Their numbers are dwindling each year.  One survivor, scheduled to light a torch, died this year one week before the ceremony.  All of Israel's dignitaries are in attendance - the President, the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court Justices.  And in between, there are powerful musical performances.  In most years, there is a common theme.  The Jewish community suffered devastating, murderous losses in Europe at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators.  If only Israel had been in existence in 1939, perhaps it could have helped, it could have saved lives, it could have  prevented so much death.  And, of course, from the Israeli viewpoint, it is only a strong Israel that can genuinely fulfil the promise of "never again" for the Jewish people.

One week later, Israel commemorates the loss of more than 24,000 soldiers and security personnel killed since the establishment of the State and the loss of thousands of victims of terrorism in Israel and abroad.  Once  again, there is a torch lighting ceremony (shown here) before the same dignitaries along with bereaved  families who have lossed loved ones.  There are powerful musical peformances (Here and Here) and not a dry eye among the attendees.  The following day, there are ceremonies at cemeteries across Israel as loved ones are remembered and missed.

As the sun sets and Yom Hazikaron ends, the  sadness turns to joy and Israeli Independence Day is ushered in - this year marking Israel's 74th birthday.

Once again, there is a torch lighting ceremony - this time featuring Israelis who have reached tremendous heights with their accomplishments - in different walks of life.  Yom Haatzmaut ceremonies have honoured scientists, artists, musicians, health care workers, athletes, leaders of charitable organizatons and so many others.  There are dance peformances, military fly-overs, fireworks, musical performances and, of course, speeches.  Across the country, there are celebrations with musical peformances, carnival-like atmospheres and raucous, exuberent crowds - thrilled to celebrate Israel's accomplishments over its first 74 years.

One of my personal highlights is a program that Israeli singer Idan Reichel has run for the past few years.  He has asked Israeli soldiers - most of whom are in the army as part of mandatory conscription - to send him recordings of themselves singing.  He and his crew receive hundreds of entries.  They then select 10 of these young soldiers.  Reichel and his crew show up at each soldier's base and suprise them somehow - with an invitation to sing at the national Independence Day performance.  The 10 soldiers spend some time preparing with Reichel and then perform at the national  ceremony with their family and friends in attendance.   At the end of the evening, Reichel picks one lucky winner to co-write a new song with him  to be recorded and released.  The whole event mixes so many key aspects of Israel. Reichel meets with and selects Israelis from all across the country - religious and non-religious, from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds - men and women, from the north and the south, the east and the west, all of whom are serving in the IDF, defending the country.  The singers are all emotional, excited, very talented and very proud.  

Finally, after watching the solemn commorations of Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron, one week apart and then thoroughly enjoying the gleeful and exciting Yom Haatzmaut celebrations, I noted that I had received an email earlier in the day "warning" me about the movie "My Tree" that is now being shown on CBC Gem as part  of "Jewish Heritage" week.  I decided that  I should watch the film, which was released in 2021 by Toronto based Jason Sherman.

Sherman has an attractive and easy going style in his narrative.  He seems personable enough and sincere in his "quest" to look into the story behind the planting of a tree in his name at the time of his bar-mitzvah many years ago - coincidentally - at the shul that I am still involved in when I am in Toronto.

But his seemingly "curious" nature is somewhat of a cover for a manipulative and unbalanced hatchet job on the Jewish National Fund ("JNF" or Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael - KKL), and by extension, Israel.  At the outset, Mr. Sherman mocks his Jewish heritage by poking fun at his bar-mitzvah ceremony, where he can't even bring himself to wear a Kippah standing in the Synagogue's main sanctuary, with his film crew, and reading some prayers.  After some coaxing from the Synagogue's executive director, he reluctantly agrees to cover his head.  It is evident that he has gone back to his bar mitzvah shul to mock it.  He doesn't meet with the Rabbi of the shul  or mention that he has tried to do so.  The current Rabbi would be too compelling and wouldn't fit with the theme of this "documentary."

Sherman then sets out on a journey to Israel to look for the tree that was planted in his name at the time of his bar mitzvah in the 1970s.  At the outset, Sherman gives his abbreviated version of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  For example, he notes that in 1948 "war broke out," as if it were a rain storm suddenly beginning.  No mention of the fact that all of Israel's surrounding neighbours attacked Israel - and certainly no mention of what happened with all of the Palestinian land that was held by Jordan from 1948 to 1967.  Or the Jewish towns and villages that were wiped out by the Arab armies during that war.  In fact, Sherman refers to the founding of  Israel as the "Nakhba," - using the Palestinian term for the great disaster.

Along the way, Sherman cites such "luminaries" as Noam Chomsky, Ilan Pappe, and Edward Said, all known Israel bashers.  And frankly, I woudn't even have a great problem with that if he also cited or interviewed or spoke with some historians, politicians, scholars etc., who might give an opposing view.  He could interview them, argue with them and raise his concerns.  There is no shortage of people who would have thoughtful responses to some of what Sherman raises.  

But there is no opposing view because this is not an objective documentary.  It is essentially a propaganda film that describes Israel as an illegitimate war-crime state.  The concluding part  of My Tree longs for the day (at the end of the movie) where Israel will be replaced by a one-state solution. Sherman refers to himself  as having been complicit in "war crimes" because his family planted a tree for his bar mitzvah by contributing money to the JNF.   

Like any decent prograganda film on this topic, disguised as a documentary, the movie certainly includes some truths, cites some historical injustices  and raises awareness of important issues.  I don't mean to downplay the genuine injustices that many Palestinians have faced including those who lived in Arab towns that were overrun by the Israeli army in 1967.  But there is no context at all.  The wars that Israel has fought have been existential and that has included a battle over land in many cases.

Sherman mocks the notion that Jews  had a presence in the Land of Israel historically, for thousands of years or that there is any reality to the historical connection that  the Jewish people have to the country.  He portrays Israel as a settler-colonialist state, rather than a movement to reclaim an indigenous homeland.  He disregards legitimate land purchases, settlement  and nation building on the the part of Jewish immigrants starting in the 1880s. Of course there is no mention, whatsoever, of any role  the Palestinians might have played in the whole historical narrative and the hostilities.  No mention of how the wars started, no discussion of terrorism, pre-1948 massacres, or any other parts of the historical record that might not fit with Sherman's thesis. 

Now there is a great deal of controversy over the dichotomy and the opposing views of Israel - but one could certainly explore these issues and give them context - even if ultimately preferring the anti-Israel side of the narrative,  as Sherman is inclined to do.  Because of this lack of context or balance, it is no wonder that the film has been presented at Palestinian film festivals.  It is probably quite popular among the likes of Peter Beinart, Sid Ryan, Roger Waters, JVS (Jewish Voices for Peace), the BDS movement and other groups and individuals that are opposed to Israel and its policies - or reject Israel's existense outright as a Jewish State.

By way of an example, Sherman wanted to discuss these issues with a Rabbi in Toronto.  Apparently, the only Rabbi in Toronto who he  could  find to speak to him was a rabbi from the Danforth Jewish Circle that meets in a church.  To her credit, I thought Rabbi Miriam Margles did a fairly decent job answering some of the points raised by Sherman.  But would it be too problematic to try to meet with some other rabbis - perhaps the rabbi of the same shul that he went back to when asking about his bar mitzvah?  Or perhaps other Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Chabad rabbis?  Again, I find it hard to believe that no one would speak with him.  More likely, he didn't want to hear or record what they might say because it woudn't fit his narrative.

Ultimately, the juxtoposition between the celebrations in Israel,  and this type of movie made by an unaffiliated Torontonian, who happens to be Jewish, highlights the growing chasm between Israel and the diaspora.  Israel is now home to more  than  half of the world's Jewish population and that population is rapidly increasing.   On the other hand, the Jewish communities in  Canada  and the U.S. as well as other countries around the world are shrinking due to assimilation, intermarriage and general apathy.  Further, according to some recent articles, the level of support among young Jews in the U.S. and Canada - for Israel - has also been dropping.  This is disappointing but not surprising.

Last night, in Toronto, I attended at a Ma'ariv  service at the same shul where Mr. Sherman was doing some of his filming.  I was joining a family member to commemorate a Yahrtzeit.  The shul was sparsely attended.  But the more  troubling point is that it was Erev Yom Hazikaron, Remembrance Day.  There was no shul programming scheduled, no special prayers, no serious commemoration of this solemn day.   In fact, the shul was having a "Town Hall Meeting" - of all days - on Yom Hazikaron.  And that was, to me, another reflection of this growing gap between the two communities.

To end on a positive note, I can mention that, despite these trends, the number of Birthright groups travelling to Israel remains significant.  Thousands of young Jews from around the world  are taking a 10 day trip to Israel to see the country first hand, and hopefully come away with some sense of affinity, belonging, and pride for the country that is now home to such a large percentage of the world's Jewish population.  And some of them may well wind up on a bus with one of our family members - who is now a full licensed Israeli  tour guide.

Wishing everyone a Chag Sameach on Israel's 74th birthday and hoping that the coming years will bring peace, stable government, continued development in a wide range of areas, more great music and closer relationships with Jews around  the world, including, perhaps, those like Mr. Sherman, who might come back for another visit.  This second time around, aside from looking for his tree, he can also see his Temple ruins, his ancient synagogues, the burial sites of his ancestors and so many other important Jewish historical sites that just didn't seem relevant to the statement he was trying to make  - including those particularly dear to my heart - like the ancient wineries, wine storage facilities and wine presses that were one of the largest sources of economic activity in the Temple years, during the first and second Kingdoms of the Jewish people in Ancient Israel.

Yom Hazikaron - Israel Memorial and Remembrance Day 2011

This evening marked the start of Yom Hazikaron in Israel – Remembrance and Memorial Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Across Israel, everything is closed for the evening. In cities across the country, major streets are closed – as tens of thousands of people attended ceremonies to remember cousins, friends, neighbours and family members who have fallen in Israel’s wars, in the course of national service and in terror attacks.

Yom Hazikaron is linked to Israel Independence Day – which follows one day later. The very intentional linkage reminds Israelis of the importance of the sacrifices made by so many to enable the creation and continued existence of the Jewish State.

In Ra’anana, thousands attended a very moving and extremely well planned memorial ceremony. Ra’anana’s Mayor, Nahum Hofri, a former Army commander himself, spoke about the loss of his brother in battle– and so many others. Ra'anana’s Chief Rabbi spoke along with a number of family members of fallen soldiers. The memorial evening included a number of well-known Israeli ballads sung hauntingly by individual singers as well as an adult and a children’s choir.

Residents of Ra’anana walked quietly to the centre of the city – Yad LaBanim – from many different areas - to pay silent homage over the course of the 90 minute commemoration.

These losses are so close to home to so many Israelis who have faced a very real existential struggle over the course of 63 years of statehood – which has included 6 major wars – and many terrorist attacks along with numerous other military operations and battles. Ceremonies are also held across the country – at schools, military ceremonies and other locations, marked by silence at 11 a.m. during the day of Yom Hazikaron itself.

Despite this history of tremendous loss, the ceremonies included an optimistic note. The nationally broadcast ceremony from Rabin Square in Tel Aviv – closed with “Lu Yehi” – If Only It Could Be – a prayer-like song yearning for peace. And Mayor Hofri – closed his speech in Ra’anana – quoting the prophet Isaiah:

“they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more…”

Despite the many challenges Israel faces – the recent uprisings and governmental changes in neighbouring countries, the threats from Iran, Syria, Gaza, Lebanon and other enemies – and the misguided or simply anti-Semitic ostracization of Israel by so many of the world’s countries – the hope and belief that peace is possible continues to resonate with Israelis even as they remember those whose lives have been lost through so many years of struggle.