Israel's Two Memorial Days

Israel has two memorial days. One is Yom HaZikaron, which begins tonight, and the other is Yom HaShoah, which took place last week. Yom HaZikaron reminds us of the cost of having a state; Yom HaShoah reminds us of the cost of not having one.

It’s hard to overstate how seriously Israelis take these days. In the USA, Memorial Day often feels like a long weekend or a day off. In Israel, Yom HaZikaron is solemn and deeply personal. Nearly every family has been touched by war or terror. Military cemeteries have waiting lists and strict visitation rules. Not because of bureaucracy, but because so many people have lost loved ones that there's simply not enough space to accommodate everyone who wants to pay their respects.