Spread the Word: Virtual Events Commemorating Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

As Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) approach during this continued period of social distancing, you're invited to join the Reform Movement and our partners for any and all of the following online events in observance of the two holidays. 

For resources for observing the two holidays, visit ReformJudaism.org and sign up for our emails.

Yom HaZikaron Events

• The Declaration of Independence at the Kotel
  Sunday, April 11, at 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT
  Join the World Wide Reform Movement, the World Zionist Organization, and many Jewish leaders from around the world for a celebratory and dramatic reading of the Israel’s Scroll of Independence (with trope!) live from the Western Wall in Jerusalem to celebrate Israel’s 73rd Independence Day.
    
• The Masa Yom HaZikaron Virtual Memorial Ceremony
  Tuesday, April 13 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
  On the eve of Yom HaZikaron, we will commemorate IDF soldiers and victims of terror at the largest virtual ceremony for the Jewish world. For Israelis, this day is one of the most important of the year as we recognize those who sacrificed their lives for our great country. At Masa, we see it as our opportunity and responsibility to share the centrality of this day.
    
• The Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Day Ceremony
  Tuesday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT
  Featuring presentations by Israeli and Palestinian artists and speakers, this Ceremony has been called the largest Israeli-Palestinian peace event in history. Especially now, when the world seems so dark, the Ceremony offers us hope for a new vision: full of light, life, and hope. This #JointMemorial2021 is organized by Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle-Families Forum.
    
• Zionist Beit Midrash 
  Tuesday, April 13 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
  Led by Rabbi Josh Weinberg, this special session will feature three presenters who will share about their IDF service and will each teach one text that connects to their experience and the theme of this Memorial to Israel’s fallen.

Yom HaAtzmaut Events

• Reform Movement-Wide Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration
  Thursday, April 15 at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT
  Join the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, in partnership with ARZA, Arzenu, and the World Union for Progressive Judaism, for a special event celebrating Israel's 73 Independence Day. Want to see yourself in the event? Send us a photo from one of your trips to Israel, by April 10th, to impj@reform.org.il, and/or prepare a flag of Israel and of your own country to put in the background.
   
• Celebrate Israel
  Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
  Join Jewish Federations of North America for a worldwide celebration of Israel’s 73rd Independence Day. Bid farewell to His Excellency Reuven Rivlin as he completes his term as Israel's tenth president.
    
• Oneg Shabbat
  Friday, April 16 at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT
  Join a program packed with music, discussion, Torah, thought, and fun! On Friday night, join us for a special online Oneg Shabbat with songs and stories hosted by Rabbi Josh Weinberg, the Union for Reform Judaism's vice president of Israel and Reform Zionism, and friends at 9:30pm Eastern.
     
• Shabbat Discussion
  Saturday, April 17 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
  Join us for a Shabbat conversation that explores all things Israel: literature, politics, society, and more. Use the linked expression of interest form to receive links to join this live event, or watch on the Arzenu YouTube channel or the ARZA Facebook page. 
     
• Musical Havdalah and Concert
  Saturday, April 17 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
  Welcome the end of Shabbat with Boaz Dorot, Shani Ben Or, and the Nigunim Ensemble. Use the linked expression of interest form to receive links to join this live event, or watch on the Arzenu YouTube channel or the ARZA Facebook page.