Day of Sad Remembrance; Day of Joyous Celebration

Usually, I write in this column about JCSVV upcoming events and holidays in an upbeat manner. But, a week after our very moving Holocaust Remembrance ceremony, I find myself in a quiet and introspective mood. As I write today, April 15, in Israel it is a very somber day of national mourning, “Remembrance Day for Fallen of Israel’s Wars and Victims of Terrorism,” which is one of the contemporary holidays in the modern State of Israel, honoring the thousands of Israel’s soldiers who have been killed in the many wars since the declaration of the modern State of Israel in 1948, and remembering as well the thousands of ordinary citizens who were murdered in terrorist attacks. On Israeli TV, which we receive on satellite Dish, the entire day is dedicated to telling stories of those who died. The ceremony begins with the lighting of a torch at the Kotel – the Western Wall – by the President of Israel, Shimon Peres. Here I cite some of his touching words of comfort:

“Dear families,
We are here today to say to you that we know there is no comfort for someone
who lost a [loved one]. That we cannot replace those who have gone. But maybe it will comfort you, even a little, the knowledge that we, your family, your friends, we remember them and will always remember them. Their faces will never disappear from the images of our life….

Dear friends,
When you and I look out from within this deep mourning, at this historic
place called the State of Israel, at our victories on the battlefields and
in peace the vibrant pulse of creativity, the fantastic achievements that
place this country at the forefront of the world in so many fields, there is
no limit to our pride…. Israel's existence is no longer in question. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is ready for any scenario, against any enemy.

The courage and spirit of the soldiers of the IDF and their commanders,
their courage and faith in the righteousness of their path together with the
preservation of their morals and values are the guarantees that the IDF will
prevail. We know it. Our enemies have learnt it. May they not err again. We
have a duty to spare no effort and no cost to end the war and bring security
and peace to this country. Because even if the price of peace will be
heavy – we will always be able to bear it. Terror brings death. Peace brings
life. For us and our neighbours. We will not forget even for a moment and will always remember those for whom the survival of Israel and its glory are indebted. Those who over the 65 years of the state's existence, protected her with their bodies, their blood
and their lives, defended her borders and the security of her citizens, her
independence and her freedom. Israel is as dear to us as the bravery of her
fighters, and as dear as the depth of the sorrow for each fallen soldier.
Here, next to the sacred stones of the Western Wall, I say on behalf of all
of Israel, that you, the fallen of Israel's wars deserve eternal glory and
our ultimate gratitude."

(For a link to his full remarks to the families of the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, see http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/04/14/full-transcript-shimon-peres-remarks-at-opening-remembrance-day-ceremony-2013/ ).

As Itzhak and I watched story after story, such as that of Tsila, a beloved folk dancer and mother; of Gilad, a happy young boy who loved birds and animals; and so many men, women, and children, who lives were cut short by a bomb at a Bar Mitzvah celebration in Tel Aviv, at a bus filled with Israeli tourists in Romania, at a pizza shop in Jerusalem, our eyes filled with tears. There were pictures and videos of them at school, weddings, happy times, and heart-wrenching interviews with their closest family and friends, describing their loved ones’ talents and hopes. They spoke of the void left by the untimely death of their son, daughter, child, parent. Imagine the scene of a father emptying out his soldier son’s apartment and smelling the young man’s clothes and shaving cream before boxing everything up and carting it away. Imagine the tearful joy of a young woman giving birth in the hospital after her husband has died in a bomb blast, as she exclaims, “He has his father’s cleft chin!” Oh, to hear the sobbing of a man’s family in the sound studio as they listened to his last recording of Shir HaMaa’ot, a Song of Ascents, before this singer/pilot was killed. Each story tore at our hearts.

Itzhak grew up for most of his childhood on a kibbutz in Israel. As a young man he served in the Israeli army during two wars, and in the reserves for the years during and after those wars in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Itzhak watches and weeps, remembering his many friends who died.

 

It seems that mourning exists in the present… A trigger of memory collapses time.

This day is also the birth date of Amalia Bierman Kohn, my mother’s mother, who was killed in the Holocaust. The “A” of my name, Alicia, is in memory of her. Since we have no yahrzeit date, my mother has lit a candle today and speaks to me of her.

 

It is true… Mourning is in the present… A trigger of memory collapses time. The sadness is raw and immediate.

At the end of this day in Israel a siren will sound; traffic will stop, and the transition to the national celebration of Yom Ha-atzma’ut - Israeli Independence Day - will begin. This date, the fifth day of Iyar, marks the day on which the State of Israel officially came into existence, with the end of the British Mandate, on May 14, 1948. The tone will change to joy, with parades, flags, children dressed in blue and white, picnics, family gatherings… celebrating the modern rebirth of an ancient nation.

This year marks the 65^th birthday of Israel. I remember well in April of 1973, forty years ago, when I lived in Jerusalem, wearing a Tee shirt with the logo of “Israel 25” with the “2” and “5” connected in such a way as to form a menorah. Each year since then has brought additional achievements in Israel, and additional losses.

How to reconcile loss and joy, memorials and national celebration?! That is something that everyone in Israel must do, as virtually every family is touched by the reality of losing a loved one to war or terrorist attack, but they also have developed a keen sense of appreciation of the preciousness of life, family bonds, and close friendships. They know the wisdom of not procrastinating any celebration.

Our teenage children should all go to Israel on educational and recreational programs. Everyone, Jew and non-Jew, should visit Israel to gain a deeper understanding of our historic and religious roots.

Despite a very complex current political situation, and during this difficult era of political attacks on Israel, including university divestment of investments, disproportionate UN resolutions against Israel, and biased press, we need to hold in our hearts the memory of Israel’s huge continuous cost in precious lives. Happy Birthday, Israel. May we celebrate many more such anniversaries far into the future!

Blessing for the months of Iyar (April 11 – May 9) and Sivan (May 10 –June 8)

May we learn to balance sadness and joy, and prepare ourselves for illumination through study and celebration of our tradition. May the celebration of Shavuot, receiving Torah, bring us renewed intention to create and sustain a more ethical and just society in our small circle and in the wider community.

-Amen.