Yom HaShoah – Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Day

8th April 2021 by yonetegottfried

Yom HaShoah (Yom HaShoa, Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laGvura) officially translates to “Remembrance Day for the Holocaust and Heroism”, but is often known as “Holocaust Remembrance Day” in English. It is an occasion to commemorate the lives and heroism of the six million Jewish people who died in the Holocaust between 1933 and 1945. Yom HaShoah is on the 27th day of Nisan, the first month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar.

Yom HaShoah begins in Israel at sundown on 7 April, 2021 in a state ceremony held in Warsaw Ghetto Square at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes Authority, in Jerusalem. During the ceremony the national flag is lowered to half mast, the President and the Prime Minister both deliver speeches, Holocaust survivors light six torches symbolizing the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and the Chief Rabbis recite prayers.

On Yom HaShoah, ceremonies and services are held at schools, military bases and by other public and community organizations – but this year, when many formal Holocaust ceremonies are canceled, Zikaron BaSalon offers a unique and authentic way to keep the tradition and the memory alive.

“This year, our most important commitment is to protect the safety of the Holocaust survivors, as they are the most vulnerable, thus, Zikaron BaSalon is going to proceed without live testimonials from our survivors. Additionally, we are working to ensure that we keep Zikaron BaSalon running and following all the restrictions necessary, which means that we’re going to host Zikaron BaSalon digitally.”

On the eve of Yom HaShoah and the day itself, places of public entertainment are closed by law. Israeli television airs Holocaust documentaries and Holocaust-related talk shows, and low-key songs are played on the radio. Flags on public buildings are flown at half mast. At 10:00 am, on 8th April, 2021 an air raid siren sounds throughout the country and Israelis are expected to observe two minutes of solemn reflection. Almost everyone stops what they are doing, including motorists who stop their cars in the middle of the road, standing beside their vehicles in silence as the siren is sounded.

Yom Hazikaron – Memorial Day 7-8 May 2019

6th May 2019 by Yonete Gottfried

Yom Hazikaron is Israel’s Official Memorial Day for her fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Falling either in late April or early May every year, Yom Hazikaron is an especially solemn time and marked by ceremonies and silences across the country.

It starts at sundown on May 7 2019 and is marked until sundown May 8 2019, from May 7-8, and is followed immediately by Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day.

Yom Hazikaron begins at sundown (8.00pm) when a siren is sounded across the country for one minute. Everybody stops what they are doing, including cars driving on the highway, and observes the silence to show their respect and remember the fallen. That evening, the official State Ceremony to mark the start of Yom Hazikaron takes place at the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem. Unlike in many other countries, Israel’s wars have taken place at home and being a small country, almost everybody knows somebody who died in the country’s wars making Yom Hazikaron an incredibly personal time of remembrance.

The following day, a siren sounds for two minutes, at 11.00 am and again the country stops to remember. Following this, memorial ceremonies take place across the country – either public or private, to remember the country’s fallen. That evening, between 7 and 8.00 pm, another state ceremony takes place, this one at Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Military Ceremony. This ceremony marks the end of Yom Hazikaron, and the beginning of Yom Haaztmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, a day which contrasts dramatically to what preceded it and a strong reminder of the price Israel has paid, and continues to pay for her independence.

There are many ceremonies you can join for Yom Hazikaron, at the Western Wall there is an annual ceremony for the Memorial Day opening where the the flag is lowered to half-mast.

Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut 2018

16th April 2018 by judy

Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Official Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, the day which publicly remembers the fallen in all the wars which Israel has had to fight during the 70 years since Independence was granted in 1948 – it commences at nightfall on Tuesday evening 17th April 2018. Shops will close earlier than usual. Places of entertainment will not be open.

Yom Hazikaron begins at sundown (8.00pm) when a siren is sounded across the country for one minute. Everybody stops what they are doing, including cars driving on the highway, and observes the silence to show their respect and remember the fallen. That evening, the official State Ceremony to mark the start of Yom Hazikaron takes place at the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem. Unlike in many other countries, Israel’s wars have taken place at home and being a small country, almost everybody knows somebody who died in the country’s wars making Yom Hazikaron an incredibly personal time of remembrance.

On Wednesday 18th April, 2018 sirens will sound at 11.00 am throughout the country for a 2 minute silence – and the country again comes to a standstill – if this is your first time here on such a day, be prepared for an incredible sight, where transport and people literally ‘stop in their tracks’ to observe the silence.

That evening, between 7:00pm and 8.00pm, another state ceremony takes place, this one at Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Military Ceremony. This ceremony marks the end of Yom Hazikaron, and the beginning of Yom Haaztmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, a day which contrasts dramatically to what preceded it and a strong reminder of the price Israel has paid, and continues to pay for her independence.

The conclusion of Yom HaZikaron sees a reversal and the country explodes into celebrations for this very special Yom Ha’atzmaut – the 70th Anniversary of the Foundation of the State.

Netanya celebrates 70 years of Israel’s Independence

Wednesday, April 18

New Independence Square 8:00 p.m.

Emcee and song: Shai Hambar Yehuda Elias Roni Dalumi Shlomi Shabat

The youth of Netanya salute the city and the state | Havatselot Netanya Dance Troupe

East stage with screens

7:00 p.m. Festive prayer

Yitzchak Meir and the Ve’nismacha band play Jewish music

West stage

Local bands

11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Public dancing with Ronen Oved

Nofiki Shai and Roy

Agam Hahoref Park 9:00 p.m. Broadcast live on

Skazi Hatikva 6 Moshe Peretz

Aviados Stars from Schuna Nathan Goshen

Free shuttles to and from Agam Hahoref stage will operate from 9:00 p.m. through the end of the event

From the city center (Taipei restaurant), from the northern part of the city: (Weizman corner of Sokolov), from the eastern part of the city (University Square) and from the southern part of the city (Ha’nevi’im corner of Ben Zvi)

Gan Ovadia – Neot Ganim 8:30 p.m.

Shai and Roy

Sagiv Cohen and Daklon

Local bands

Amphi Kanion Ir Yamim 8:00 p.m.

Muli and Tzumi

Roy Boy

Local bands

Sportek Netanya East 8:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Jewish music stage

Stars from Shchuna

Dudu Tassa

Local bands

Blue and White Nite

Israel’s beach party

DJ Itay Galo

DJ Tomer Maizner

DJ Adi Noy

Café Shahor Hazak

Entrance is free, age 18+, advance registration required www.israelparty70.co.il

Thursday, April 19

City parks – Stilt walkers, comic photo team, magnet photographer and more will greet you from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the areas where barbecuing is allowed.

Netanya Museum – Interactive quiz for the entire family and guided tours, every hour on the hour from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Beit Habe’er – Independence Day happening for the entire family and tours of the permanent exhibitions from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Friday, April 20

5 Iyar: Israel dances and welcomes the Sabbath

Public dancing, dance troupes, choirs, multimedia clips on the screens in the square

New Independence Square (beneath the screens) 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Sport

For details of all the events in and around the city, please click here http://www.netanya.muni.il/eng/

Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) 2017

30th April 2017 by Yonete Gottfried

Yom Hazikaron is the national remembrance day observed in Israel. National memorial services are held in the presence of Israel’s top leadership and military personnel. The day opens with a siren the preceding evening, Sunday 30th April, 2017 at 20:00 (8:00 pm), given that in the Hebrew calendar system, a day begins at sunset. The siren is heard all over the country and lasts for one minute, during which Israelis stop everything (including driving, which stops highways) and stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect. The official ceremony to mark the opening of the day takes place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the flag of Israel is lowered to half mast.

A two-minute siren is sounded at 11:00 the following morning, Monday 1st May 2017, which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. Many Israelis visit the resting places of loved ones throughout the day. The day officially draws to a close between 19:00 and 20:00 (7–8 p.m.) with the official ceremony of Israel Independence Day at the national military cemetery on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, when the Israeli flag is returned to full mast.

Scheduling Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) right before Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) is intended to remind people of the price paid for independence and of what was achieved with the soldiers’ sacrifice. This transition shows the importance of this day among Israelis, most of whom have served in the armed forces or have a connection with people who were killed during their military service.

Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) 2015

18th April 2015 by Yonete Gottfried

Yom Hazikaron is the national remembrance day observed in Israel. National memorial services are held in the presence of Israel’s top leadership and military personnel. The day opens with a siren the preceding evening, Tuesday 21st April, 2015 at 20:00 (8:00 pm), given that in the Hebrew calendar system, a day begins at sunset. The siren is heard all over the country and lasts for one minute, during which Israelis stop everything (including driving, which stops highways) and stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect. The official ceremony to mark the opening of the day takes place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the flag of Israel is lowered to half mast.

A two-minute siren is sounded at 11:00 the following morning, Wednesday 22nd April, 2015, which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. Many Israelis visit the resting places of loved ones throughout the day. The day officially draws to a close between 19:00 and 20:00 (7–8 p.m.) with the official ceremony of Israel Independence Day at the national military cemetery on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, when the Israeli flat is returned to full mast.

Scheduling Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) right before Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) is intended to remind people of the price paid for independence and of what was achieved with the soldiers’ sacrifice. This transition shows the importance of this day among Israelis, most of whom have served in the armed forces or have a connection with people who were killed during their military service.

Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) Memorial Ceremony 2015

13th April 2015 by Yonete Gottfried

Women in the Holocaust and 70 years since the End of World War II

Wednesday, 15 April 2015, 7:00 p.m. at the City Cultural Center

7:00 p.m. “Every Person has a Name”
Youth movement members read the names of those who perished

Exhibit entitled “Jadu, Julia and the Screen of Shadows” in the colonnade of artist Nava T. Barazani
8:00 p.m. Main ceremony in the auditorium

Attended by Mayor of Netanya Miriam Fierberg – Ikar

Host Avi Bettelheim
Cantor (Hazan) Shlomo Glick

Singer Orit Arieli

Lighting of memorial candles
Reader Irit Gidron
Musical Arrangement Dror Greiner

“She Only want to Stand in the Sun”

The “Ohel” (Tent) Theatre presents an original play by Amar Bookchin
Inspired by the fascinating story of female couriers in the Jewish underground during World War II
Thursday, 16 April 2015
5:00 p.m. at the City Cultural Center

Thursday, 16 April 2015
after the sounding of the siren at 10:00 a.m. a guided tour of the “Car in Commemoration of the Holocaust” will take place in the “Yad Labanim” Complex (Ben Gurion Blvd. corner of Ehrlich St.)

Yom Hazikaron 2014 – Remembering the Fallen.

4th May 2014 by Yonete Gottfried