Conference taveng::bagels

1059.0. "Yom HaZicaron - Yom Ha'Atzmaut" by TAVIS::JUAN () Wed Apr 17 1991 15:17

    Yom HaZicaron - Rememberance Day in Israel.

    Today is Yom HaZicaron - The rememberance Day for all those heroes that
    fell for the country. The day's ceremonies begun yesterday at 8:00 pm, 
    with the sounding of a one minute alarm and today at 11:00 there was a
    2nd alarm and ceremonies in Military cementeries around the country.

    As the alarm sounds it is customary for everybody to stand in silence
    and at attention during the whole alarm, in a silent gesture of respect
    and tribute.

    The ceremonies will end tonight, when all the mourning of rememberance 
    change into the rejoicing of Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Independence Day.

    Yesterday, as soon as the alarm went off, I went to the apartment of my
    neighbors, a family of Russian Olim, that came to Israel less than a 
    year ago. I was worried because I didn't know if they were aware of the
    significance of the day and the alarms, and more than that I wanted to
    explain that this is not a war alarm - as we heard some months ago.

    When I entered the apartment I saw them, not only aware of the day, but
    still standing at attention. I was moved thinking - what is the power
    of this land, that those newcomers and "foreign" people felt to be bound
    with the mourning of those that fell for this country.

    Then I realized that myself was in the same position - I came to Israel
    9 years ago - and if I want to screen the people by thase wars, I also
    didn't share them. But I know that the mourning of Yom HaZicaron and the
    rejoicing of Yom Ha'Atzmaut do belong to me and I am a part of this Nation
    and this people. And the I realized that this IS the power of this land,
    where neither the new Russian Olim, nor myself, nor you -if you wish- 
    are no foreigners. 

    Yom Ha'Atzmaut Sameach - Happy Independence day.

    Regards,

    Juan-Carlos Kiel