Unity Shabbat focuses on American-Israeli Jews

BARRINGTON – On April 28, Temple Habonim hosted a seasonal “Wine and Dine” Shabbat service, titled “Unity Shabbat,” which focused on the relationship between American and Israeli Jews.

The evening’s special guest speaker was Tslil Reichman, Israeli emissary (shlichah). She spoke to congregants about the importance of this relationship as well as the significance and symbolism of three of Israel’s most notable and recent holidays, Yom ha-Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom ha-Zikaron (Israeli Memorial Day), and Yom ha-Atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day).

The Voice spoke with Reichman shortly after the service to hear more about these important holidays – how they are observed, and their significance to her and all Israelis.

Excerpts from our interview are below:

On the eve of Yom ha-Shoah, all restaurants and shops close. The only things on TV are movies about the Holocaust and the broadcast of the official ceremony. The next morning at 10, there is a siren sounded through the whole country and everyone stops and honors that moment. For the past few years there has been a new tradition called Zikaron Basalon (a memory in the living room), where families invite Holocaust survivors into their homes to tell their personal stories. This has become very popular and last year over 1,500 homes hosted such an evening with thousands of people taking part.

Yom ha-Shoah is so important because it represents such a big part of our history. It is important to remember the Holocaust so we make sure nothing like this ever happens again. The survivors of the Holocaust built the State of Israel and fought the War of Independence and their story needs to be told.

On the eve of Yom ha-Zikaron, a siren is sounded at 8 p.m., and the whole country stops for that moment. Even cars stop on the highway, and the passengers will step out of the car to stand and honor those who lost their lives. Once the siren is sounded, TV broadcasts will stop, restaurants and shops will close, and radio stations will only play songs about fallen soldiers. An official ceremony will take place in Jerusalem that night, while the next day, families and schools hold ceremonies all over Israel in memory of their loved ones.

Yom ha-Zikaron is an intensely personal day for Israel. Everyone, it seems, knows someone who has died in battle, and nearly one in five citizens visits a military cemetery to mark the day. More than 23,000 soldiers have fallen in defense of the country, and more than 2,500 have died in terror attacks.

Twenty-four hours later, a ceremony marking the beginning of Yom ha-Atzmaut will start in Jerusalem. During the ceremony, 12 carefully selected individuals, symbolizing the 12 tribes, will be honored for their contributions to Israel. Each city will have its own festival and music concerts into the night. It’s the only night of the year that police are not allowed to shut down parties. The next day, celebrations continue, and barbecues and fairs will be taking place across the country.

Yom ha-Atzmaut is a unique day because it is right after Memorial Day. It is significant as we are celebrating our independence while being reminded of the price we pay to have this freedom, which we can never take for granted.

Reichman, a native Israeli, is spending two years in Rhode Island. She is proud to say that she already feels united with Rhode Island’s Jewish community. 

“For the past nine months, the Jewish community in Rhode Island has welcomed me into their homes, synagogues, and schools. I enjoy sharing my story and getting to know the different members of the community,” she said.

SAM SERBY is a freelance writer who lives in East Greenwich. He previously worked at the Peres Center for Peace in Tel Aviv.