Yom Hazikaron in Jerusalem 2017
About Israel’s Memorial Day
Israel Remembrance Day, called Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew, is Israel’s official day of remembrance for fallen soldiers of Israel and victims of terrorism. It falls exactly one week after Holocaust Remembrance Day and considering the fact that casualties are very close to home in this small and young country, this day is extremely solemn. You will find places of entertainment closed, flags at half-mast and there are many ceremonies that take place in community centers and by memorials around Jerusalem and Israel.
In a way very unique to Israel, Remembrance Day flows straight into Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. As is often customary in Judaism, we remember the heartbreak with the joy. We acknowledge the direct connection between our loss and the independence and sovereignty that we appreciate so much today.
Yom Hazikaron is marked on the fourth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. This year it is commemorated from the evening of Tuesday, May 10, 2016 until the evening of Wednesday, May 11 (when Independence Day begins).
All local media channels are focused on this day of grief and two sirens sound during the 24 hour period when people respectfully come to a standstill.
Here are some of the things happening around Jerusalem on Yom Hazikaron:
The sirens
There are two sirens on Yom Hazikaron. A one minute siren sounds at 8:00 pm on Tuesday evening and a two minute siren sounds at 11:00 am on Wednesday. Similar to the siren on Holocaust Memorial Day, people generally stop whatever they are doing – even those driving on the highway – and stand at attention throughout the duration of the siren. It is highly recommended to stand outside for the sirens in order to experience the impact of almost an entire nation coming to a standstill in honor of those who died in order to gain and preserve our freedom.
2017 Yom Hazikaron events will be updated soon
Memorial Day Eve Events — May 10, 2016
State opening ceremony at the Western Wall
An annual ceremony takes place at the Western Wall as the official opening of Israel Remembrance Day. It begins with the one-minute siren at 8:00 pm which is heard throughout the country, during which the flag at the Western Wall is lowered to half-mast.
The ceremony is invitation open and is attended by Israel’s President, the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Force (IDF), the major general, the chief rabbi of the IDF, the rabbi of the Western Wall, top officers and commanders, the mayor of Jerusalem and a large audience of bereaved families.
This ceremony which includes prayers, speeches and the lighting of a memorial torch, is broadcast live on Israeli television channels.
Where: The Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem
When: May 10, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Tickets: Invitation only
Gerard Behar Center
An evening of songs for soldiers
Where: Gerard Behar Center, 11 Betsalel Street, Jerusalem
When: May 10, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Cost: Free with advance registration
Sign-up: 02-545-6868
Beit Avi Chai
Screenings of animated films by local artists based personal stories of survivors wars and terror attacks
Where: Beit Avi Chai, 44 King George Street, Jerusalem
When: May 10, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Cost: Free — admission based on availability
Contact: 02-621-5300; info@bac.co.il
Memorial Day Events — May 11, 2016
Memorial Day ceremony at Safra Square
Mayor Nir Barkat, with representatives of the underground movements, Nahal, pupils of the Keshet School, guests and employees of the Municipality of Jerusalem.
Where: Safra Square, Jerusalem
When: May 11, 2016 at 9:00 am
State ceremony at Har Herzl
Attended by the Israeli Prime Minister, ministers, the mayor of Jerusalem and families of fallen soldiers and victims of terror
Where: Mount Herzl, Jerusalem
When: May 11, 2016 at 11:00 am
Ceremonies at Jerusalem Monuments
City officials, including the mayor and city council members, and members of the Jerusalem Brigade will lead ceremonies at monuments in the neighborhoods of Mishkenot Shaananaim/Yemin Moshe, Abu Tor, Ramat Rachel, Armon Hanatziv and Yaar Hashalom.
Where: Monuments around the city
When: May 11, 2016 at 9:00 am
Parking and Transportation for Yom Hazikaron Ceremonies
Parking
There is no parking at the main entrance to Mount Herzl.
There will be free parking at the following locations:
- Teddy Park east lot
- Haleom parking lot
- Biblical Zoo
- Jerusalem Malha Railway Station
- International Convention Center – Binyanei Ha’Uma
- The Technological Garden
- Street parking on Shmu’el Bait Street
- All Jerusalem Light Rail “park and go” lots
- Yad Labanim Memorial (by the Soldier House and Kraft Stadium)
Public transportation
In order to accommodate people attending the ceremony at Mount Herzl, there will be more frequent light rail trains to Mount Herzl, and attendees will be given free light rail passes. CityPass will be distributing the tickets at the light rail station across the street from the Central Bus Station from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
In addition, there will be free shuttles from all of the free parking sites to Mount Herzl.
Remembering Holocaust survivors who fell in the War of Independence
Any time around Yom Hazikaron (doesn’t have to be on Yom Hazikaron itself when Har Herzl is very busy)
They say honoring the dead is the ultimate act of kindness because you know they will never repay you. And one can argue that honoring the dead who really do have no one else to honor them is even greater.
There are many people who moved to Israel after surviving the Holocaust in time to fight in the 1947-48 war. As Holocaust survivors who lost everyone, or almost everyone, during World War II, they are left with literally no one to remember them.
My Israel, an Israeli movement, organizes an annual remembrance specifically for these people. In order to participate:
1. Check the list of people who fit into this category
2. Pick a few names of people.
3. Make sure they’re all in the same cemetery.
4. Email the list of names you’ve chosen to contact@myisrael.org.il.
5. Purchase one flower per person.
6. Look up the location of each grave. (Also we suggest you read up on the history of each individual to make it more personal.)
7. Go to the cemetery (probably best to go before Yom Hazikaron), find the gravesites and say a prayer there, put a postcard on the grave, a stone, the flower, etc.
It is most meaningful to do this with a group of people.
And then on to Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day)
Check out all the amazing events around Jerusalem on Yom Haatzmaut >>