Yom Hazikaron / Yom Ha’atzmaut 2024

Last week we commemorated Yom Hashoah. We remembered and honoured the six million Jewish people that perished in the Holocaust and recognised the accomplishments of the survivors.  The Holocaust is a catastrophe that we will never forget. More so now after the massacre of October 7.  And again we chant – Never Again!

Next week, is Yom HaZikaron, the National Day of Remembrance which honours the fallen soldiers, individuals and victims of terror that have lost their lives during the struggle to defend the State of Israel. The numbers have multiplied substantially with the abhorrent and deadly carnage of October 7 where to date over 600 of our soldiers have been killed and that is a part of the more than 1200 people that were murdered on this day. 

Too many Jewish people have lost their lives in order to ensure that our beloved State of Israel can continue to exist.  This year we pray and hope, on a far greater scale, that no more blood will be shed.  Even though Israel is strong, and unfortunately not a stranger to this kind of violence, when Israel hurts, we all hurt.  We grieve and mourn the senseless loss of life hoping that the end to all this atrocity will be in sight soon.

There is a reason that Yom Hazikaron, the memorial day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terror precedes Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The message of linking these two days together is clear: Israelis owe their independence, the very existence of the State of Israel, to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it.  First we mourn and then, on the following day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, we have the joyous celebration of the independence and establishment of the State of Israel!    Here, in South Africa and around the world, Jews will express solidarity with Israel and celebrate accordingly.  This year however there will be a sombre undertone as how can we celebrate when the hostages are still being held in captivity?

WIZO continues to pick up the pieces and rebuild Israel one child, one young adult and one woman at a time.  We, as WIZO, have a duty to continue with the challenges that lie ahead for our beloved Israel as we have set a stellar example of over 100 years of building and supporting our land.  In the event of the war, WIZO has been a constant source of comfort on the ground for Israel and her people.  Although they have been resilient, the emotional pain and trauma runs deep.  It will take time to recuperate from this trauma but in the meantime WIZO has implemented many professional therapists at WIZO schools to help this generation overcome this trauma. Whatever the reason and however we can, WIZO will always be there to support those who need it the most! This in turn gives us all the hope and strength we need to continue to support and fight for Israel and the sustenance of our WIZO.  

By getting more involved with WIZO, by either volunteering your time or making a donation to our many projects, you will show your love for Israel and the hope that our land will continue to exist, and not just exist, but flourish.  Your contributions are essential and will ensure the longevity of our work as we continue to deal with the challenges that lie ahead for our beloved Israel.

I would like to end with some very appropriate words from Hatikava, Israel’s national anthem:

Od lo avdah tikvateinu: Our hope is not yet lost. 

Lehiyot am chofshi b’artzeinu: To be a free people in our land. 

In essence it means that we continue to stand in unity and solidary with Israel, with the hope and deep faith that Hashem will give strength to the people of Israel as the anthem above states. 

We, as WIZO, will continue to build and rebuild.  We will keep the eternal WIZO flame shining in the name of the past and for the sake of the future as we hope and pray for better days ahead.

As the President of WIZO South Africa, I thank you personally, our WIZO people, for helping to keep Israel strong and fighting proud.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Warm regards

pastedGraphic_1.png

Shelley Trope-Friedman

President WIZO South Africa