Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. Two of the most meaningful and emotional days in the life of an Israeli. Yom HaZikaron, or Memorial Day, begins at sundown on the 4^th of Iyyar, and is observed for 24 hours. On this day, the lives of soldiers and civilians alike who have fallen due to terror. At 11 am, as the siren sounds, the entire country is still, standing silently and remembering those who gave their lives to give us the freedom to do so. This is arguably one of the most difficult days in the year for Israeli citizens, as there is not one who doesn’t have a life to honor.

As the sun sets on this painful day, the country transitions from the day of remembrance to a day of celebration. Yom HaAtzmaut is Israeli Independence Day, and it starts at sundown on the 5^th of Iyyar. Just as Yom HaZikaron ends, the celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut begins. For me, and most Israeli citizen, this is a very confusing yet meaningful transition. We celebrate, not because we are forgetting the thousands of people who lost their lives in the last 72 years, but because we are commemorating the fact that they did not die in vain. It is not that we are putting the memories of those lost aside and celebrating with a blind spirit, but we are commemorating that their lives have led to a powerful people, in a strong and unified country.

During this 48-hour period, Israeli citizen and Jews around the world alike experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. One thing stays clear throughout the two days, and that is that the Jewish people are, and always will be, resilient and united, always remembering where we came from, and striving for a more peaceful future. עם ישראל חי