After Passover: Celebrating and Commemorating the Modern Jewish Experience

With Passover having just ended, the celebrations and commemorations of the modern Jewish experience are just around the corner. These holidays, Yom HaShaoah (Holocuast Memorial Day), Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) become the community’s focus as Israel begins its 62nd year. Not surprisingly, these holidays have an interesting and not so straightforward history.

Yom HaShoah was established in 1951 as Yom HaZikaron LaShoah u-Mered HaGetaot (Holocaust and Ghetto Uprising Remembrance Day) but the name was changed soon afterward to Yom HaZikaron LaShoah u-LaGevura (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day). The Israeli government considered several dates on which to establish this most solemn of days. Originally, Yom HaShoah was to be set for the 14th of Nisan, the anniversary of the beginning of Warsaw ghetto uprising, in order to express the complete purpose of the day, which was to also pay tribute to Holocaust heroism. However, more traditional segments of Israeli public objected to this date on the fear that it would create conflict with the celebration of Passover that begins just one day later. The date ultimately set as the 27th of Nisan. Nevertheless, Yom HaShoah is still not a universally accepted holiday. Segments of the ultra-Orthodox community do not recognize Yom HaShoah and continue to commemorate the Holocaust on Tisha B’Av, the day established by the Rabbis to mark other tragedies of the Jewish people including the destruction of both the First and Second Temple.

The commemoration of Israel’s fallen soldiers and civilians, who have given their lives in defense of the nation, was originally held on Israel Independence Day. It was not until 1951 that the idea of having a separate memorial day, preceding Yom HaAtzmaut was suggested to the government. It was only in 1963 that the Knesset voted into law what had by that point become the accepted practice of the State. The tone of the day is found in Natan Alterman’s poem The Silver Platter, which describes the sacrifice that Israeli youth, both a boy and a girl, have made so that the State of Israel can be founded. This poem was based on the 1947 statement of Chaim Weitzman that “a nation is not presented with a state on a silver platter.”

Israel Independence Day was established by the Knesset in April 1949. Since its establishment, the State of Israel has debated how to celebrate its birth. How to celebrate this holiday often depends on one’s religious and political orientation. The prayer books of the major American Jewish denominations as well as the official prayer book of the State of Israel each include liturgy designed especially to mark the significance of this day. Other anti-Zionist Jewish groups see no religious significance in the establishment of the State and do not celebrate at all. At the same time, both secular and religious Israelis can also celebrate this day by watching the annual fireworks over the Mediterranean or the presentation of the Israel’s most prestigious civilian honors at a ceremony on Mount Herzl. Nothing characterizes the uniqueness of Israel better than participating in both types of celebrations.

The convoluted history and commemorative practices of these holidays provides us with a window into often fractured nature of the modern Jewish experience. Nevertheless, each of us should take time to explore our personal commitment to celebrating these holidays and by extension the State of Israel. Israel must be part of each of our journeys toward creating a more enriching Jewish sense of self. Take some time to participate in your community's commemorations and celebrations to start you on your way.