Happy Yom Ha-Zikaron (Memorial Day) + Independence Day!
Unlike the US version, Memorial Day here (it was Monday) is a really serious affair. Sunday at 8:00pm precisely (per the Hebrew calendar, days here start at sunset, not at midnight; so by 8pm it's already considered to be Monday), sirens went off across the country to honor soldiers who have died in recent conflicts. All stores, restaurants and bars were closed (by law). Bus routes that passed by cemeteries were expanded, and there were lots of private and public memorial services. The entire city is decked out in flags and blue-and-white garlands. Monday it was the same &mdash ulpan classes were cut short so we could attend a memorial service, another set of sirens at 11:00am, empty streets and beaches.
In a nation of 6 million, with mandatory military service and an antagonistic history with its neighbors &mdash 8 wars in 60 years, with more than 100,000 killed or wounded (we had a complete history of the conflicts this week in what I now call the "propaganda" portion of our ulpan studies), it's almost impossible not to know someone who was a casualty. A few of the waitresses at work were asking me why Memorial Day in the US wasn't more like it is here &mdash it seemed almost offensive to them that Memorial Day stateside is usually a big shopping/vacation day, not a day for remembering the fallen. One waitress said she usually ends up crying all day on Memorial Day.
However, after sunset on Monday (a.k.a. the start of Tuesday on the Hebrew calendar), Independance Day began. Very much in contrast with Memorial Day just a few hours before, Independence Day is a really exctatic day. That's the 4th of July equivalent &mdash everyone is at the beach or grilling in the parks, or just generally out and about. There were fireworks and concerts, and it was a day off for everyone.
The stark contrast in mood between the two consecutive days was hard to get my brain around. That you could spend one day crying for the fallen and the next day partying with friends was difficult for me to understand. But I've decided that that's how many people live life here, that is, very much in the moment.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I realize that religious expression is different from nationalistic expression, but I might see a similarity in response between Memorial Day and Independence Day in Israel and Good Friday and Easter in the Christian experience. I don't know if Mom shared with you the about her Good Friday experience this year, but her response sounded a little like your co-workers' responses to people treating Memorial Day like a holiday. Just a thought. Forgive me, Mom, if you didn't want me to mention that story...
I also think that since Memorial Day is most often associated with the Civil War, and then WW I, and WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm sort of tacked on, we feel the enormity much less. The seriousness of the holiday depends in direct proportion to the sorrow your feel at the loss of a loved one.
DAD
the proximity of memorial day and independence day isn't a coincidence. it was debated a lot over the years, but the reason they are so close together, is that we must remember and FEEL how our infant country was established thanks to those hundreds of soldiers who gave their lives, and those who keep risking their lives every day now to protect it. as you said, our country is constantly in conflict since... well, since forever. in the memorial services they often say "with their blood they commanded us life". i am not saying that all those deaths were justified, but i doubt that our country would still have survived if our soldiers were not willing to protect its existance with everything they got.
the contrast between those two days is very sharp, as i think it should be.
that waitress probably knew someone who died, a friend, a class mate, a friend of a friend, a relative... we all know someone. sad but true.
peace, man.
where did you go?
i keep looking for updates, but seems like you stopped writing... or maybe moved on...
Post a Comment