Google wishes Israel a happy 62nd
Filed under: Business, design, Holidays, Israeliness, Life
One more for Yom Ha’atzmaut #62 years and the Israeli independence annals…seems that Google Israel got in on the celebrations, so in case you missed it:
It’s gone now, but Happy 62nd bday, from the search engine experts.
The Siren and I
As I stood last night at our local community center, flanked by my children while waiting for the siren that marks the start of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day in Israel), I had a chance to reflect on how my relationship to this day has changed over the years.
A siren blares in every corner of the country for one minute at 8:00 PM and then for two minutes the following morning at 11:00 AM. The custom is to stand in silence. Cars stop and their drivers get out. Soldiers put on their kumtot (berets).
When I first arrived in Israel in 1984, Yom Hazikaron was an abstract concept. I was just learning about Israeli history and I didn’t know anyone who’d ever fought, let alone died, in a war.
That changed dramatically in 2002 when our cousin Marla was killed in the terror attack at Hebrew University. The full name for the day is “Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror.” The latter part was added only in recent years.
And now as my children get older – approaching or in the army already – my relationship has changed again. If at one time we hoped (though didn’t really expect) that we’d be at peace by the 62nd anniversary of the state, that’s not even on the agenda today.
As Yom Hazikaron transforms into Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) this evening, a popular understanding is that we can only celebrate if we commemorate those who sacrificed. But there is another, parallel, concept: there is also the moment within the siren itself when we remember and, at the same time – not celebrate as we do on Independence Day – but dream… dream of a future of peace.
Foto Friday – Israel Independence Day is Coming
Filed under: A New Reality, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Picture of the Week, Pop Culture, Travel
Israel’s 62nd Day of Independence is coming and the country is bedecked with flags.
© Michael Freilich
All over Israel, the holiday will be celebrated with fireworks…
© Dudi.
And more flags…
© RomKri
As the citizenry continues its peculiar custom of showering friends and complete strangers with shaving foam. Well, that’s better than the other custom of hitting one another over the head with squeaky plastic hammers. And no, I’m not kidding about that.
© RomKri
And of course, Independence Day would be nowhere without its most important tradition, the outdoor barbecue!
© Пётр Рогов
Leo’s grave
Filed under: General, Holidays, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life
My father-in-law, Leopold Laufer, died two years ago on the eve of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, a significant date considering his very Zionist roots. A Czech by birth who made his way to the States with his father, mother and sister during the years of World War Two, he spent some time in Manila organizing Zionist youth, and continued in that vein for the rest of his life, working for the good of others as well as making aliyah at least three times during his life. The year that he died was a leap year, so it turns out that his yahrtzeit is actually the day after Yom Ha’atzmaut, but for us, it’s our own memorial day, just in the reverse of the Israeli Memorial Day-into-Independence Day.
We go up to his grave on Har Menuchot (roughly translated as the Hill of Eternal Rest) in Jerusalem on the day of his death, and while it is a hill, technically, in reality it feels more like a graveyard hi-rise. It’s the cemetery for Jerusalemites, given that the more historical Mount of Olives — which also has a much better view — is chock full.
And while we’re not of Sephardic descent — just plain ‘ol white bread Ashkenazi — Leopold Yehuda Laufer is buried in the Sephardic section of the cemetery, surrounded by Maimons and Turjemans, because we preferred the more laid-back Sephardic burial society. It’s sad to visit him, and yet, this year, there were some funny moments. Since he’s buried in a section above a firing range, anything that’s said is punctuated by rapid fire. Noisy and amusing, in turn. And this year, we brought the two new members of the family with us, my twin sons Ziv Maimon – no relation to those buried around Leo — and Lev Yehuda, who is named for his saba Leo.
If you squint a little, you can see the firing range in the distance
Israel Independence Day
Filed under: Blogging, History and Culture, Holidays, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life
Benji and hummous -two Israeli institutions
As the smells of barbecued meats permeate the country, let’s keep in mind what’s special about Israel – besides everyone barbecuing on Yom Ha’atazmaut.
One of the funniest – and most astute – lists has been written by Israelity contributor and stand up comedian par excellance Benji Lovitt – You can read the whole list of ’61 More Things I Love About Israel’ here.
But a few of my favorites are:
31. I love that my cab driver offered me a peach and that I accepted it. That will happen in America when falafel balls fly.
43. I love words like “teetchadesh” that neither exist nor make sense in the English language. “Wow, cool shirt! Enjoy using your new thing!” Nice try.
57. I love the superhuman Israeli hearing which allows them to pick up the “beep beep beep” of the news even while someone is using a jackhammer three feet away.
Whatever way you celebrate Israel Independence Day, may your celebration be joyous.
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