Yom Hazikaron -> Yom Ha'atzmaut

This past week was Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day) in Israel. Israel turned 59 this year (FYI - Jerusalem reunification is 40 this year). As on Holocaust Rememberance Day, we have a minute of silence, but this is much more emotional in my opinion. Holidays in Israel and Judaism go from sunset to sunset. So Memorial Day started Sunday evening and ended with Independence Day beginning the next night. I believe it is a Jewish thing to go from such great sadness and mourning to celebrating. We attended a tekes (ceremony) in a park by our apartment. It was for our neighborhood. Scouts took care of it and it was very sad. It started with the siren followed by a short prayer. They had pictures of fallen soldiers from the neighborhood, candles for them and read short bios about them. Sad songs were played and some designs were made to burn in honor of the day. One is pictured below.
I don't know how to explain the minute or so of silence, which occurs at the beginning of Memorial Day and at 11am the next day. Suzanne and I watched a bus from the ceremony in the park stop and anyone on it stands up. Imagine a busy street in New York City, a siren goes off and everyone stops. No talking, eating, walking...nothing. Cars stop and drivers stand beside their car at attention. See this link for a video of a busy spot in Tel Aviv during this siren at 11 am Monday. The poor sound quality buzzing is actually the siren that is going on all around the country.
One has to understand that just about every Israeli has a close friend or family member killed as a soldier. Army service is compulsory in Israel. While I have family that has served or is serving, I don't have anyone with a close bond killed (I am lucky). As someone new to the experience, it is strange.
At the risk of losing readers...Here is a link to a great blog I read regurlarly. He explains it better than I can as a "New Israeli."
At sundown, start the barbeque, the parties began all over the country - more next time!