Yom Hazikaron
Today is Yom Hazkiron’s eve, meaning the evening before Israeli memorial day. Memorial days are a big deal here, which made me think of the American memorial day. I thought about it, and that might be one thing that really shows the difference between our 2 countries. The American memorial has become some sort of a holiday, a nice opportunity for a bbq. Now I’m not sure why that is. I must say I’ve never been to the US during a memorial day but my impression is that they don’t quite get the point. Okay so I don’t really go visit soldiers’ graves (thankfully I don’t need to) and the last memorial day ceremony I’ve been to was in high school. Do they even have ceremonies in schools there? ‘Cuz here every school, workplace or park has a sentimental ceremony.
In this country everyone knows someone who lost someone in the army or in a terror attack. And if they don’t, they themselves go to the army and know they’re constantly taking a chance. I’m actually in both categories since I’ve been to the army, and, my boss there lost his son. Since it’s part of our everyday mentality each memorial day starts with a siren and ends with one. Same for the holocaust memorial day. I don’t like many things in this place but I do take comfort in those minutes of silence, and solidarity. I don’t know what other countries do that, if any, but being a part of 1 or 2 minutes where everyone stops what they’re doing for the sake of respect for the dead – it feels kinda special. I don’t live in a central place and since I’m mostly at home for those sirens I developed a habit of watching the traffic cameras online. Although you don’t actually see the faces of people all freezing in place flashforward‘s style, it is amazing to see how rush hour traffics (sirens go at 8 pm and 10 or 11 am) stop and stand still.
The other unique thing is, that right after memorial day ends, the independence day celebrations begin. It’s definitely a weird time in this state. One week it’s the holocaust remembrance day, exactly 7 days later it’s the IDF memorial day, and at the same night it changes to celebrating independence. Poetic, isn’t it?
I know most of the world hates us (can’t blame you) but I do take pride in my little country who could. I won’t take part however in the celebrations. At most I will be able to see the fireworks from my window. And definitely hear them. They scare the shit out of my Skye! Dogs are NOT fans of fireworks. Which is too bad since it’s also Skye’s b-day today. Big girl at the age of 7! I wonder where her brothers and sisters are celebrating their b-day. If she has any. I got her a red bone and a beer-shaped toy I should giver her now.
Bitter-sweet day I suppose. But that’s just how Israel rolls.
loominator said,
April 22, 2010 at 21:36
New post!
We celebrate independence day in india when you salute the ones who died as well. I remember celebrating it in school every year too! Its the same with India in many ways as with Israel, someone has lost someone in the war or in a terror attack…think we’ve gotten used to it so no one cares when a bomb explodes somewhere :S