Photo from internet.

Tonight began Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) here in Israel.  This day is taken very seriously here and it is a difficult day for many families.  It is to remember fallen soldiers and victims of terrorist attacks.

At 8:00pm tonight, a siren sounded.  At this time, everyone stops what they are doing and stands still for the duration of the siren.  It is so moving to be out in public when it is sounded.  I’m sure you have seen pictures of the freeways in Israel with all of the cars stopped and their occupants standing beside the cars.  The siren will sound again tomorrow at 10:00 am.

There are ceremonies which can be watched on television, but most other channels cease broadcasting until tomorrow night.  All of the stores are closed.

Tomorrow many stores will open for part of the day and then close again, because tomorrow evening begins Independence Day.  So, we go from a sad day to a happy day. Tomorrow night there will be concerts and festivities in every town.