Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut 2017: Remembering Our Heroes and Celebrating Israel
Zionism Victoria, in partnership with UIA have announced this year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration and Yom Hazikaron commemoration.
Yom Hazikaron Memorial: An Emotional and Thought-Provoking Ceremony
Melbourne’s 2017 Yom Hazikaron solemn ceremony will allow the community to collectively remember and honour people who have fallen serving in Israel’s Defence Forces or were victims of terror.
This year’s commemoration will mark 50 years since the Six Day War, 20 years since the Galilee helicopter disaster, and 30 years since the First Palestinian Intifada. Sadly, as terror attacks against Israelis and Jews around the world have escalated, this too will be a focus of the ceremony.
Traditionally, community members who have lost a relative or friend will share their stories and will light a memorial candle.
One of the candle lighters, Efri Bart, who lost two brothers in the Yom Kippur War, said, “I really miss being with my family in Israel over Yom Hazikaron. It’s a special time when we would get together to bring back the memories of those we lost, to support and hug each other… Sharing my story with the Melbourne community at the Yom Hazikaron ceremony will ensure that my brothers’ memory lives on no matter how many years pass.”
Melbourne’s 2017 Yom Hazikaron commemoration will take place on Sunday evening, 30 April 2017, at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Clayton Campus.
Blue & White Night: One-Of-Its-Kind Israeli Experience in the Heart of Melbourne
Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural Blue & White Night, Zionism Victoria decided to recreate the experience making it even bigger and better.
As the sun hits the horizon on Erev Yom Haatzmaut, the Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre will transform into ‘Little Israel’ with an array of festive ‘Blue & White’ activities, music and dancing, story slamming, cocktail bar, Israeli street food flavours, and incredible performances by local and Israeli talents.
Highlights of the night include a live art session by a promising artist Avi Paneth who will capture the atmosphere of the evening.
Limor Komornick, who celebrated Israel’s Birthday at Blue & White Night in 2016, said, “It was a buzzing night filled with music and dancing. We loved modern Israeli songs that made us feel we were in Israel. There were people from near and far, and everyone’s energy and excitement were tangible!”
Join Yom Ha’Atzmaut Blue & White Night on Monday 1 May 2017 at 7.30pm to 10.30pm at Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre, 306 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield South
