Celebrate Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut with the J
Join Us for Yom Hazikaron Join Us for Yom Ha'atzmaut
Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day
Remembering Those Lost with a Special October 7 Memorial Tribute
Tuesday, April 29
Ceremony at 7pm
The J – Creve Coeur, Mirowitz Performing Arts & Banquet Center
Free but RSVP required
Join us on April 29 for a solemn and meaningful Yom Hazikaron ceremony. Yom Hazikaron is Israel’s official Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, and this event will pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of Israel, as well as to the victims of terrorism. A special tribute will be held for those affected by the tragic events of October 7, 2023.
The ceremony will feature guest speakers, music, and a moment of silence, providing an opportunity for reflection and remembrance. The community is invited to come together to honor the fallen heroes of Israel and to reflect on the resilience of those who continue to defend the nation.
For more information, contact Naomi Elbaz at nelbaz@jccstl.org
Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Celebrating Israel!
Thursday, May 1
The J – Staenberg Family Complex
Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day with a spectacular Yom Ha’atzmaut event! The festivities will begin with a powerful exhibit, Humans of October 7th, a moving and thought-provoking presentation. Following the exhibit, the official Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration will feature exciting activities, live entertainment, and cultural experiences for the whole family.
Yom Ha’atzmaut highlights include:
Rebuilding Israel: Humans of October 7th Photography Exhibit
Face Painting
Balloon Twisting
Caricature Artist
Cookie Decorating
Motek Jewelry
Cotton Candy & Popcorn Stands
Shaving Israel Booth
Federation Information Table
Petting Zoo
Magician Performance
Traditional Israeli Folk Dancing (Rikudei Am)
This vibrant event has something for everyone, from engaging cultural experiences to family-friendly activities and captivating performances. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate, connect, and enjoy a night of Israeli pride and joy with our community!
This event is free, but registration is required.
For more information, contact Naomi Elbaz at nelbaz@jccstl.org
Rebuilding Israel: Humans of October 7th
Photography Exhibition Project by Erez Kraganovitz
Thursday, May 1
5pm – Exhibit Presentation & Reception
The Mirowitz Performing Arts & Banquet Center
Since the horrific October 7 attack, the incitement on the streets and social media fueled antisemitism and misconceptions about Israel and the Jewish people at large. Erez Kraganovitz felt that it was imperative to fight back by showing the human side of Israel, to provide a reminder of what Israeli society is all about and what we are fighting for. To do so, he created the Humans of October 7th project, which brings to light the human stories of the unique Israelis who stood up against terrorism. It shows Israeli DNA at its best and shows the incredible spirit and resilience of the Israeli people.
Kraganovitz met firsthand the brave Israelis who rose to the moment. It was incredible to hear how they put themselves out there to help and rescue fellow Israelis. These heroes are civilians who decided to put their lives on the line to protect others. Some of them could have stayed home with their families but they decided to leave everything behind, went into the inferno, and rescued as many people as possible. That’s pure heroism.
The October 7th horrific massacre was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. During that day and the following month, the world stopped. It seems like not only Israel won’t be the same after this brutal attack but also the whole Jewish world.
“I’m trying to bring hope and inspiration so we can all together rebuild a better and stronger Israel,” Kraganovitz said. “Every person has a story to tell and we need to respect that. We have to start listening to one another in order to create a joint future. When you are truly listening to someone and acknowledge their point of view, it’s easier to find common ground. That would be the first step for healing Israeli society after the past year.”
Throughout history, Jewish sovereignty never exceeded more than 80 years. We are celebrating our 77th Independence Day so if we don’t want history to repeat itself we have to do everything in our power to foster the future of the state of Israel.
As Golda Meir told the young senator Joe Biden: “We Jews have a secret weapon… we have no place to go.” At this moment in time, we all need to remember that so we can start rebuilding Israel.