Yom HaZikaron has fallen upon us once again. Today, we remember 23,816 fallen Israelis – most of whom died while protecting every Jew, everywhere.
And as usual, the Israeli government wants us to feel it.
In the age of social media, it’s easier than ever for us all to take part in the pain of Yom HaZikaron. No matter where we are in the world, we watch videos that transport us directly to the land of Israel, where we can easily share in this day of national mourning. Music, of course, plays a tremendous role in making the pain real.
This year, however, is different in so many ways. With the threat of Coronavirus looming around the world, we are forced to grieve on our own. Although we may be by ourselves, however, we are not alone. This year, technology allows us to take part in commemorations and memorials from around the world, keeping us perhaps more connected than ever.
To help you make the most of Yom HaZikaron 5780 / 2020, here is a collection of the most meaningful, most powerful, and most musical resources we’ve discovered this year.
“I Have No Other Country” #1
Want to better understand the pain of this day? Each year, the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization creates a powerful, moving video for Yom HaZikaron. We highlighted many of these videos in our Yom HaZikaron article from last year. Today, the organization released an emotional new rendition of “Ein Li Eretz Acheret”, starring Gali Atari and a number of children who have lost parents in the IDF. These heart-wrenching videos have become a very important part of my own Yom HaZikaron experience.
“I Have No Other Country” #2
The Israeli classic “Ein Li Eretz Acheret” (I Have No Other Country) seems to be experiencing a rebirth of sorts this year. In addition to the Gali Atari version, a number of prominent Israeli singers collaborated on another powerful rendition. Participants include: Adi Biti, Yam Refaeli, Noam Kleinstein (all in military uniform), Adir Getz, Einat Sarouf, Corrine Allal, Shai Abramson, Shai Tzabari, Noam Banai, Dana Berger, Ayala Ingedashet, and more. What are we fighting for? Just watch.
Remembering, Telling Stories, Singing
Last night, Israel’s Channel 12 presented “Zochrim, Mesaprim, Sharim” (Remembering, Telling Stories, Singing) – a live broadcast featuring emotional musical performances from Itai Levy, Shiri Maimon, Avraham Tal, Amir Dadon, Nathan Goshen, Esther Rada, Eden Alene, Eden Hason, David D’or, Ishay Ribo, the Shalva Band and more. An hour well spent on a Yom Hazikaron morning.
A Soldier’s Last Letter To His Family and Friends
A meaningful video presented by the Israel Defense Force (IDF). “Sgt. Sean Mondschein, 19, died fighting the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza on July 20, 2014. These are the notes he left for his family and friends. Today we remember him and 23,815 others on Israel’s Memorial Day.” Hanan Ben Ari’s intense vocals give voice to Sean’s letters to his family, written in the event that he did not return home from the military. Other new videos from the IDF are certainly worth watching today as well.
Unified in Isolation: A Nationwide Hatikvah
Last night, the opening ceremony for Yom HaZikaron took place at the Western Wall as usual…with extremely unusual circumstances. The Kotel plaza was relatively empty, and the few in attendance were wearing masks. It was as if the rest of the country was absent from this year’s commemoration. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. As IDF Chief Cantor Shai Abramson came to the podium to sing “Hatikvah”, Israel’s national anthem, all of Israel’s citizens were encouraged to sing along on their balconies nationwide. We may be alone, but perhaps we were more unified than ever this year.
Share your most meaningful videos.
What resources have you found? What videos help you understand the essence of Yom Hazikaron? Please share them below so we can all observe Israel’s Memorial Day in a more meaningful way. May our nation know no more sorrow.