We are in the middle of what many Jews call the "Israeli High Holy Days." On Tuesday, it was Yom Hashoah, when we commemorated the Six Million lives lost in the Holocaust.
Then, Yom HaZikaron, Israeli Memorial Day, begins at sundown next Monday night, and ends on Tuesday night. This year, everyone will be inside, but normally, during this time, Israelis remember the soldiers who fought and died for their country. For about two minutes, in the middle of the day, sirens go off all over the country, and every Israeli stops what they are doing, even driving, and stands in a show of solidarity and respect to commemorate the lives lost.
Then, at sundown on Tuesday, Israelis will switch into celebratory mode, for it will become Yom HaAtzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day. Normally, throughout Israel, there would be parties that night, and picnics at the beach or in parks the next day, culminating with fireworks. It is a festive atmosphere, very much like 4th of July here in the United States. Here, Jews still celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut by wearing blue and white and having our own family and synagogue celebrations.
However, this year, the parties will be at home, there will be no big gatherings, and each of us, both here and in Israel, will be commemorating and celebrating these holidays in "quarantine mode." Sure, it will be different, but we can all still find ways to participate.
How will you and your family celebrate?
No comments:
Post a Comment