From the President:
Yom Ha'zikaron Message

On Monday night and Tuesday, we commemorate Yom Hazikaron, a day dedicated to all the soldiers who died while fighting for Eretz Yisrael, our homeland. On Yom Hazikaron, Har Herzl, the cemetery in Jerusalem dedicated to political leaders and soldiers who died in battle, is filled with Israelis. You can barely move, as the cemetery is so full. Israelis visit their loved ones who died defending Israel, a country that exists as an island of democracy and freedom; as a place where Jews and non-Jews alike can coexist in a peaceful society. It is a day to remember those who bravely gave their lives for Israel, and more importantly, it is a day for the Jewish People to reflect on the ideals that we stand for in our daily lives. We are not only commemorating the lives of our heroes, but we are commemorating what they defend: democracy, freedom, and peace.

Following this day of recognition for our soldiers, we celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut. We celebrate our right to exist and our freedom as human beings, which the soldiers have ensured for us. We transition from reflection to celebration. One is not appropriate without the other. We begin by reflecting how we survived for 55 years, and then we celebrate all that we have accomplished, and our hopes to remain a thriving nation.

During these two days, I hope that all of us take the time to reflect on those that have maintained Israel's safety and security, and that we celebrate our right to exist, so that eretz moladetaynu remains for many more years to come.