Today and tomorrow we mark Israel's most solemn and most joyous days on the calendar, respectively. Today, we memorialize the 23,816 fallen soldiers and 3,154 victims of terror in the State of Israel. While this day is normally very difficult for Israelis, it is even more difficult today because cemeteries are closed to the public due to the pandemic. Normally, family members of fallen soldiers and terror victims would visit their loved ones' graves today, but they will be unable to today. Likewise, although tomorrow would be a humongous day of celebration throughout the entire country, and although some restrictions have been lifted already in Israel, the whole country will be on lockdown and celebrating Yom Haatzmaut from home in order to prevent an uptick in cases. In a certain sense, Israelis will be marking these days in the same way we will be - from a distance. Emotionally and spiritually, we are with אחינו כל בית ישראל today and tomorrow.
I hope the resources below will help make the next two days meaningful while we are at home, for those who have time to participate.
May we merit a full redemption speedily in our days.
Rabbi Judah Kerbel
Please join us tonight at 7:45 pm for our Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut ceremonies. Zoom Online CLICK HERE
Meeting ID - 940 0813 9559
Password - 051448 Zoom Call:
(646) 558-8656
Meeting ID - 94008139559#
Password - 051448
Also, please check out the following resources if you would like to mark these days beyond the program we have scheduled for today: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - https://youtu.be/MI8MKhFtx-U
Musical Mi Shebeirach for Chayalei Tzahal by Six13 A Cappella and Chazzan Chaim Dovid Berson - https://youtu.be/Lq7H-xVx_s0
Hope and Meaning After October 7 with authors Yair Agmon and Oriya Mevorach Sunday, Nov 2nd 12:00a to 9:00a Yair and Oriya open a heartfelt conversation about their personal experiences on October 7, and how it led them to create their deeply moving book. They’ll share selected passages and offer insights into the power of storytelling in the face of trauma — and how meaning can emerge from the darkest of places.
