Yom Yom Yom Yom!! (i.e. Endless Holidays)

Shortly after my parents left it was Yom HaShoah- Holocaust Memorial Day. The international school I take a class at (Rotherberg International School) had a ceremony where students did readings, played music, and danced. It was a very lovely ceremony. In the morning a siren sounds that everyone in the whole country can hear. No matter what you’re doing, wherever you are, everyone stops for a moment of silence.

Here is a video I found on YouTube of the cars on the freeway coming to a standstill: 

About a week after is Yom HaZikaron- Memorial Day. Unlike in American where for the average person this is a day off work/school for BBQ’s, in Israel it is a very somber day, because of the unfortunate reality of the relatively recent wars that come with the price of living in Israel. Much like on Yom HaShoah there are 2 sirens- 1 the evening of, and 1 in the morning the following day that again stops the whole country in a moment of silence. I went to the Western Wall to attend the main ceremony where President Shimon Peres spoke. I didn’t understand a word of what was said, but I hear it was a very moving speech and regardless, it was nice to be at the ceremony. It was interesting because the wall itself was actually closed off for prayer, which I had never seen before.

Picture borrowed from Jewlicious of the ceremony

View I had of the ceremony

My apartment complex hung an enormous flag down the front of it

As with all Jewish holidays, they start at sunset. So the ceremony was in the evening on the 25^th and the next day (the 26^th) is also the holiday. But that also means that the evening of 26th was the start of Yom HaAtzmaut, which is Israel Independence day. It’s very interesting to see a country go from a day filled with mourning and sadness to a day of celebration. I think that’s sort of the reality of life here. There are a lot of hard realities to face living here, but in spite of it all it doesn’t stop anyone from celebrating. I went in to the center of town with my friends and the place was just swarming with people out celebrating. There was a huge free concert in one of the squares, including a performance by Israeli musician Subliminal (who I know a few songs of his from camp). There was also a DJed dance party for students right outside the Old City. The following day is filled with BBQs which I enjoyed a night of hot dogs and baked beans in my apartment with friends.