Tel Aviv's Eretz Yisrael Museum is presently featuring an exhibition entitled, "Pomp and Circumstance Israel's First State Ceremonies, 1948 - 1958." This exhibition illustrates the ceremonies that evoked Israel's newly-created sovereignty during the first decade of the State's existence and the manner in which those ceremonies evolved into today's ceremonial format for expressing the national identity. The symbolism and ceremony created during the transition to Statehood were intended to reflect the newly-born national sovereignty and provide Israel's citizens with a means for expressing their identification with the State. The symbolic dimension of statehood, at the heart of the country's political culture during the early years of the State, required the creation of a measure which would mould together the various strands of culture and society that made up Israel's population. The fashioning of the emblematic landscape of the State called for the designing of emblems of sovereignty to serve both the State and its flag, and the devising of state ceremonies to imbue the public with a sense of common purpose.
Against this background, the early years of the State were marked by many national ceremonies of various types - ceremonies marking the many deeds of heroism in the annals of Jewish history, which served to awaken a sense of belonging by ascribing due significance to geographical sites, ceremonies which stressed the democratic nature of the State's governmental institutions, and ceremonies which transformed abstract national values into concrete values. All of these state ceremonies served to provide the citizens of Israel with a shared experience, through which to awaken the national consciousness.
Against this background, the early years of the State were marked by many national ceremonies of various types - ceremonies marking the many deeds of heroism in the annals of Jewish history, which served to awaken a sense of belonging by ascribing due significance to geographical sites, ceremonies which stressed the democratic nature of the State's governmental institutions, and ceremonies which transformed abstract national values into concrete values. All of these state ceremonies served to provide the citizens of Israel with a shared experience, through which to awaken the national consciousness.