At sundown on Tuesday, April 21, Israel will come to a standstill when sirens blare, announcing the beginning of Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. No matter what they’re doing or where they are, people will stop for a minute of silence, to pay their respects to those who have lost their lives defending the Jewish state or to terrorism. A second siren and minute of silence will come the following morning, before the public recitation of prayers in military cemeteries.
Yom HaZikaron is observed annually on the fourth of Iyar, a day before Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day.
Bay Area Jews can pay their respects at community Yom HaZikaron commemorations throughout the region.
Tuesday/21
Yom HaZikaron: Day of Remembrance. Outdoor ceremony in honor of fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of acts of terror. Presented in Hebrew with English subtitles. Children 6 and older welcome; dress warmly. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8 p.m. Free; donations welcome. www.paloaltojcc.org
“A Day of Remembrance and Hope.” Special Yom HaZikaron service “honoring those who fell so we can live.” At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 7:15 p.m. Free. www.bethamisr.org
“Everyone Stops Everything to Remember.” Pizza dinner followed by cemetery walk (or shuttle) for memorial service. Sponsored by Congregation Rodef Sholom. At Sha’arei Shalom Cemetery, 2500 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 6 to 8:15 p.m. Bring flashlight and picnic blanket. Free; RSVP encouraged. [email protected]
Wednesday/22
Yom HaZikaron memorial service. Jewish community leaders will speak and two Israel Defense Forces soldiers will visit. At Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 8:30 a.m. Free. RSVP requested to [email protected]
Yom HaZikaron commemoration and concert. Short ceremony followed by a concert of Israeli songs. Congregation B’nai Shalom hosts event at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Road, Lafayette. 7 p.m. Free. www.bshalom.org