Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut

Today (4/15/13) was Yom HaZikaron. Yom HaZikaron is Israel's rememberence day for soliders who died in wars or people who have died in terrorist attacks. We started the day by going to Yad Lekashish, an art workshop where older immigrants work. In the workshop there were a few immigrants from Iran who spoke Farsi, like I (sort of) do. I got to say "hi" to them in Farsi, which was cool. The art the elderly created was beautiful. The colors were gorgeous and the ceramics were perfectly done.
After Yad Lekashish, we went to the Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem. On the way to Yad Vashem the siren for remembering the soldiers went off. It was very interesting to see everyone and everything stop for a minute and stand in silence. At Yad Vashem we were given a tour. The Kellman Brown kids were very proud of themselves because they knew most of what the tour guide was telling them (yay us!).
After Yad Vashem, we went to Har Herzl, which is the national cemetery for heroes and soldiers. We each got to light a memorial candle for a soldier of our choice.
The transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut was very fast - only 60 seconds. To celebrate for Yom HaAtzmaut we went to Ben Yehuda street. It was crowded but really fun. There were shaving cream fights and bands playing everywhere. I had an amazing time today, and am looking forward to the rest of the week!
--Shira Resnick

We were in Jerusalem for Yom HaZikaron and Yom Haatzmaut. Yom HaZikarom was an emotional day that has an impact on everyone in Israel as it did for me. We attended a ceremony at a kibbutz honoring soldiers who died defending our homeland. A siren was sounded and everyone all over the nation stopped to remember the soldiers. For me, the siren was intense and overwhelming. I realized just how terrible it is to lose loved ones who were fighting for Israel.
We saw a movie about American Michael Levin, who died in Lebanon fighting for the IDF, and we went to Har Herzl, Israel's national cemetery, to visit the graves of fallen IDF soldiers.
Later that night, Israel's 65th birthday celebration began. We celebrated on Ben Yehudah street, which was so much fun.  Spending Yom Haatzmaut in Israel makes me so proud. Israel is an amazing country and I am proud to be here. - Gabi Meltzer