Connections to the past
The Zionist Council of Victoria is inviting community members who have lost a loved one, friend or family, through terrorism or military action to participate in next year’s Yom Hazikaron commemoration.
Denise & Gabby Waxman light a candle in memory of Nachshon Waxman at the 2013 Yom Hazikaron Commemoration.
Melbourne’s 2014 Yom Hazikaron commemoration will be held on May 4at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Clayton Campus. During this solemn ceremony, the community will collectively remember and honour the memory of the men and women who have given their lives serving in Israel’s Defence Forces or who were victims of acts of terror.
It is a long-standing tradition of the Melbourne Yom Hazikaron commemoration that members of the community who have lost a family member or friend participate by sharing the story of their fallen loved one and lighting a memorial candle. In 2013, Denise and Gabby Waxman lit a candle in memory of their cousin, Nachshon Wachsman, a young soldier who was kidnapped on his way to a training course and murdered by his captors. “It was a very poignant moment for us to light the yahrzeit candle in Nachshon’s memory,” recalled Denise. “It was particularly meaningful that Bezalel Gleiser [Jewish Agency Aliyah Shaliach], who knew Nachshon and was involved in the search for him, read from his eulogy during the commemoration.”
The Yom Hazikaron co-hosting organisations invite members of the community who have a connection to a fallen soldier or a victim of terror to participate in this year’s ceremony by lighting a candle in his or her memory and/or sharing a story, poem or song related to their loved one. The fallen are included in the commemoration program, and those participating receive organised seating in the hall.
Those interested in participating in this way or who know of someone who has lost a family member or friend, please contact Eileen Freed at the Zionist Council of Victoria at [email protected] or 03-9272-5506.
