The Memorial Day/Independence Day duo, symbolizing the “life arising from blood” that symbolizes much of Jewish history, is underway. Public radio broadcasts concentrate throughout the day solely on Israel's bereaved families and those they left behind.
Examples of lives lost on behalf of the People of Israel:Captain Yoni Netanel, who fell in Operation Cast Lead, was a graduate of the Bnei David pre-military yeshiva academy. He was said to have excelled even as a child in love of people and Torah, as well as his striving for perfection. He was the oldest child of Rabbi Amos and Malki Netanel, and left behind his wife Tziona, a three-month-old daughter Maayan, and three siblings.Sgt. Dudu Iluz of Kiryat Malachi was murdered in 2001 when an Arab terrorist bus driver ran him and seven others down at the Azor Junction near Tel Aviv. He was memorialized with a Torah scroll, an annual basketball tournament, a book, a film, and even a basketball school in the local community center – but his mother still refuses to be consoled.
Gili Sharabi, another graduate of Bnei David, was one of 73 soldiers who were killed in the Helicopters Crash of February 1997. His little sister Racheli is now serving a year of national service in Los Angeles in the framework of Bat Ami, the local Hillel school, and Bnei Akiva. She shared her memories and thoughts with a large Memorial Day audience in Los Angeles: “Prof. Asa Kasher, who lost his son, said, ‘One cannot struggle with bereavement; it will always win. But one can learn how to live with it.’ Thirteen years afterwards, I find myself agreeing with him more and more each day… Each one of us in our family took our bereavement in a different direction. Ima [mother], the strongest of us, strengthened herself in faith, and she now organizes Torah classes every single Tuesday, the day on which Gili was killed. Abba [father], two years afterwards, collected donations, and now, because of his determination, we were able to build a large synagogue in [our hometown] Rehovot. It is called ‘Or L’Gil’ [Light for Gil]; the word l’gil in gematriya [numerology] is equal to 73, in memory of all those who were killed then. It overlooks the cemetery where Gili is buried…”
Readers can participate in the spirit of these days by viewing the following videos.
Memorial Day Videos
Memorial Day: From Aliyah to Ultimate Sacrifice
Memorial Day: Sherry Mandell Remembers her Son
Memorial Day: Noam Apter -- He Died Saving his Schoolmates
Memorial Day: Love of the Land
Memorial Day: Jumped on Grenade to Save Comrades
Memorial Day: Park Commemorates Young Friends
Memorial Day: Rebbetzin Jungreis on Jewish Suffering
Independence Day Videos
Independence Day: Where it All Began - A visit to the hall where the state was declared.
Independence Day: Publicize the Miracle - National-religious communities throughout Israel conduct Independence Day prayers outside.
Independence Day: A Chat about Dosh the Cartoonist - A talk with the son of Dosh, the late illustrator who created "Srulik," the cartoon character that symbolized the State of Israel.
Photo Essay: Honoring Israel's Fallen on Memorial Day
Article: Honor Those Who Have Fallen
Article: Blood and Rebirth
Article: The State of Israel
Podcast: Annual Musings on the State of Israel
Podcast: Those Who Fought to Create the State of Israel
Podcast: Postman by Day, Jewish Freedom Fighter by Night
The ceremonies, flags and media attention throughout the day express the country's and the entire Jewish people's respect and appreciation for the fallen, as well as its participation in the grief of the families.