Yom Hazikaron
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Yom Hazikaron - Memorial Day -האיבה" (Israel Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day) ,
- יום הזכרון לחללי מערכות ישראל ונפגעי פעולות האיבה - ד' אייר
Yom Hazikaron is observed on the 4th of the month of Iyar of the Hebrew calendar. It always precedes the next day's celebrations of Israel Independence Day, or Yom Haatzmaut, on the 5th of Iyar which is the annual holiday of the public Proclamation of the State of Israel in 1948.
This state holiday honors veterans and fallen soldiers of the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Force who died in the modern Arab Israeli conflict. Yom Hazikaron also commemorates civilians murdered by Palestinian acts of terror.
The day includes many national ceremonies for the fallen soldier, in which senior public officials and military officers are present. The day opens the preceding evening at 20:00 (8:00 pm), given that in the Hebrew calendar system days begin at sunset, with a one-minute siren during which most Israelis stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect. Many religious Jews say prayers for the souls of the fallen soldiers at this time as well. A two-minute siren is heard the following morning, at 11:00, which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gathering which are held at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. The day officially draws to a close between 19:00 - 20:00 (7-8:00 p.m.) in the official ceremony of Israel Independence Day on Mount Herzl, when the flag of Israel is raised to the top of the pole.
Yom Hazikaron in the Gregorian calendar
Yom Hazikaron is on 4th day of Iyar, but it varies from year to year in the Gregorian calendar:
See: Jewish holidays
External link
- "Izkor" - The state of Israel commemorates the fallen (http://www.izkor.gov.il)
- Remembrance Day--Independence Day -- Selected Readings (http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Modern%20History/Israel%20at%2050/Remembrance%20Day-Independence%20Day%20-%20Selected%20Readin)