Compiled by: Matt Reingold
Yom HaZikaron is Israel’s national remembrance day for soldiers killed while serving the country and for civilians killed in acts of terror. The day begins the night before at 8pm with a one-minute siren and a ceremony at the Kotel. During the siren,Israelis stop what they are doing and stand in silence. This even includes cars driving on highways. Movie theaters and places of entertainment are closed at night and television and radio programming is changed to reflect the seriousness of the day. At 11am the following morning, a 2-minute siren sounds and an official memorial ceremony at Har Herzl is held.
Many Israelis visit the graves of their loved ones and light memorial candles. Flags are lowered throughout the day. Many Jews recite prayers for those who were killed. The day ends with a military ceremony at Mount Herzl that also marks the start of Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.
This lesson is designed to help students think about Yom HaZikaron in general and about what the day specifically means after October 7. The cartoons that were selected evoke feelings of sadness and are paired with the photos and eulogies of individuals killed on or after October 7. We can see the ways that Yom HaZikaron is both a national and personal day of mourning for so many.
