Last Monday night yom ha'zikaron, the memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, started. In case you don't know Jewish holidays start at sundown the evening before. I went into the city to Rabin Square for a big ceremony. On the way to the square the siren marking a moment of silence went off. Everyone got out of their cars or stopped walking and stood for a minute in silence. I thought I took a video but I never pressed play, slicha. All (Jewish) shops and business were closed around the country, the square was packed with people and the ceremony was beautiful. Various Israeli artists each performed their songs that are connected to the holiday and videos of personal stories and pictures were shown on large screens. Unfortunately, although I understood what was going on and parts of the stories, I didn't understand enough of the Hebrew for the ceremony to be as meaningful as it could be. It is impossible, while standing next to soldiers in uniform and hundreds of other Israeli's, not to think about the fact that almost everyone has a connection to this holiday. It's sad, but true. So of course, memorial day here is very different then memorial day back in the states. My Israeli friend was telling me about how hard the day was for him. He went to Mt. Herzl with his (elite) army unit and first they had a ceremony around the grave of a soldier from their unit with friends and family of the soldier also present. After this, as if it wasn't hard enough, he then went to the grave of someone from his high school class with more friends and family. He tried to describe to me the feelings he had while standing there with the parents of these people but of course, although I can understand, it's not possible for me to really relate to it. His memorial day experience is not unique, either.
On Tuesday Abe and I took the bus into the city and while we were on it the second and last siren went off for two minutes this time. Here is a video of this one, it's not "exciting" as its not supposed to be, but it gives you an idea of what it's like for the whole country to be standing in silence.
Towards Tuesday even people start saying "chag same'ach" Happy Holiday. Why, on such a sad holiday, would people say this? Because Tuesday evening at sundown yom ha'aztmaut, Independence day, starts!! What a happy, exciting and proud day this is! When the two holidays are so close, almost overlapping even, it really makes one understand that you have to know where you came from and what sacrifices were made...it actually makes you see the impact of those who gave their lives so I
srael can exist.Let the celebrations begin! 61 years and going strong! Fireworks, tons of shaving creme (left) on everything and everyone (they market special shaving creme just for independence celebrations), typical 4th of July things like glow necklaces and big blow up things as well as bbq's and such. Bigger parties though, like this one (bottom left) on the beach...
Wednesday I went to the beach with Adam and Itamar, played ultimate with them and others, then went to Itamar's for a little bbq get together wednesday night.
This past weekend was my last Building Future Leaders conference. It was a lot of fun, and helpful for my project (which I still have to write about), and very sad to leave everyone. I herded sheep and goats! It was one of the best experiences I've had, too. My group went first and it was sooo frustrating when the animals wouldn't move and cooperate (we had a "mission" to accomplish). We tried many different tactics but the animals were very stubborn. I can't explain, however, the feeling I had when we got the sheep and goats to follow us. It was like we were real shepherds, we were walking and they were following in a herd! (and NO it is NOT as easy as you imagine it to be!). I felt like I was on top of the world, so lame, but so true. Those sheep and goats really taught me a lot, for sure. Also, AMAZING (shout out: Yaniv's AMAZING group) news from the conference: Parallel Lives, a program that brings together special unit IDF soldiers with diaspora Jews, wants to bring the soldiers from my BFL to my synagogue at home in cooperation with my project! AHHH!! How GREAT this would be!! Let's cross our fingers and it could become a reality as early as this fall.
a pics from holidays, BFL graduation, etc.
That's all for now; interesting, deep, serious post to come soon. Be excited to really get in my head.
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