Yom Hazikaron

Monday, April 27, 2009 - 8pm

I am on a bus to Afula, on our way up North to go hiking tomorrow morning in the Banias.

A moment ago, the bus pulled over to the side of the road. The driver turned on the lights and announced to stand for the צפירה (siren). In an instant, every person on the bus stood up and among the 30 or so passengers, you could feel the mood dramatically change. Soldiers in uniform stood at attention; cars across the street were pulled over and people stood outside them. The entire country heard the siren, and stood silent. A moment of silence to remember and honor the lives that have been lost in the fight for Israel.

I read in the paper earlier today that over 24,000 lives have been lost for this land and for this state. Thousands have fought to have a place to truly call home.

There is something incredibly important in the air - People remembering loved ones, honoring soldiers, recalling the purpose and meaning that lies beneath their everyday living in this land.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
This morning I hiked the Banias. We stayed overnight in a youth hostel in Kiryat Shmona, awoke early and headed out. The Banias is a beautiful waterfall hike that is a great source of water for Israel. In addition to ancient city ruins from the Herodian era, this area is important as a water source for the state of Israel. The water from Mt. Hermon collects at the bottem of the mountain and forms springs that lead to the Banias. The water from the Banias makes up about 1/4 of the Jordan River's water supply. This was part of the land fought for in 1967. It was incredible, especially today on Yom Hazikaron, to walk the land on which so may died fighting to win and protect.
And again, this morning at 11am, as we stepped out of a cab in front of the bus station in Kiryat Shmona, the siren sounded. The city stopped. Cars stopped in the middle of the road and people stood beside them. The construction behind us was silenced and workers stood in respect.
Though I did not attend one of the many tekesim (ceremonies) in Jerusalem (or elsewhere), the Israel stood for itself honoring so many and truly epitomizing a day of rememberence, Yom Hazikaron.

And yet, in just about an hour or so, the air will change.
Yom Ha'atzmaut will begin and the country will celebrate its 61st year of independence!
The streets will flood with joy and celebration. And the extra flags hanging everywhere to decorate the city for this day will come to have even greater meaning and purpose.