On the eve of Israel's Independence Day, a special "Tekes Maavar" (Transition Ceremony) is being held at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, followed by a mass festive prayer with song and music.
The evening, held by the Orthodox Union in Israel in cooperation with the Jerusalem Municipality, Israel Heritage, Nefesh B'Nefesh, and the Jerusalem College of Technology, began with a moving Yom HaZikaron commemoration for English speakers. It will then transition into an uplifting musical Tefila celebrating Israel's 78th Independence Day, under the theme "From darkness to light and from servitude to redemption."
Opening remarks were delivered by the Executive Director of OU Israel, Rabbi Avi Berman, and the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and holder of the Israel Heritage portfolio, Arieh King. The musical Tefila will be led by Rabbi Shlomo Katz, Mara D'Atra of Kehilat Shirat David, Efrat.