(see also post- A Secular Yom Kippur (aka Yom Hazikaron))
As part of MAKOM, we were sent to different schools to see how they commemorate the day. I went to Keshet (where my aunt is the principle of the middle school). They started with a memorial program for the entire school (K-12) and students in the lower school shared stories about heros, relatives and family friends who died defending the country or in terror attacks. They also lit memorial candles for the different was and types of fighters.
There was also a very simple and sweet dance performance where the dancers ended up making a Jewish Star and holding up 2 doves. It turned the ceremony into a prayer for peace while giving space for the memorial.
Then there was the siren (at 11 am) and then the K-4th graders left and the 5-12th graders had their own ceremony. The second ceremony had a number of musical performances and readings from Israeli authors such as David Grossman.
The second ceremony had a number of musical performances and readings from Israeli authors such as David Grossman. This ceremony seemed to be as much of a memorial service as it was a mental preparation for the mandatory draft that would cause them all to serve after graduation.
Another thing that I noticed was that it seems to be a sort of reunion for the recent grads who are currently serving in the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) who come in uniform and stand or sit in the back. Without another community (they have not started university or jobs) and without army responsibilities, they gravitate towards what they miss- the high school friends and neigborhood community.
It is customary to wear white on Yom Hazikaron. After we returned from the schools, we sat in Gan Hapaamon where we processed and shared what we had seen, felt and noticed. It was a meaningful day.
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