Celebrate Israel
Customs
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Prayer for the Peace of Israel During Wartime
This prayer for the peace of Israel during wartime was written by the late Rabbi Ron Aigen for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call
A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People
This prayer for peace and reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people was written by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith for T’ruah: The Rabbinic
WUJS’s Thought Provoking Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Students
This link will take you to Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities, a site with several thought provoking activities that encourage students in the Diaspora to
Orthodox Evening Prayer Service for Yom Ha’atzmaut (English Excerpt)
This post presents an excerpt from the evening Yom Ha’atzmaut service from the Rinat Yisrael Siddur, popular among many Religious
The Masorti Movement’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Twilight: Moving from Memorial to Independence, a ceremony written by the Masorti Foundation
Reading the Israeli Declaration of Independence on Yom Ha’atzmaut
This post presents the Hebrew and English texts of the ritual Declaration of Independence reading suggested by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer, a musician
Aharon Varady’s Earth-Centered Al HaNissim Prayer for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the original Al HaNissim prayer added to the Amidah and
A Reconstructionist Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts for the Prayer for the State of Israel from the Reconstructionist Kol
Beit Tefilah Israeli’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Havdalah: A Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, a Hebrew and
An Amended Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for a new version of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel,
Zayit’s Yom Ha’atzmaut Kiddush (Hebrew)
This post presents the Hebrew text of a Kiddush ceremony written for Yom Ha’atzmaut by Zayit, an organization that runs
Yom Ha’atzmaut Kiddush by Ya’akov Maoz (Hebrew)
This post presents the Hebrew text of a Kiddush ceremony written for Yom Ha’atzmaut by Ya’akov Maoz. The Kiddush expresses
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Prayer for Peace
This post presents the Hebrew and English text for a prayer for peace in Israel around the world that is
The Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Judaism’s Al HaNissim Prayer for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This post presents the Hebrew and English text of the Al HaNissim prayer added to the Amidah and Grace After
The Israeli Masorti Movement’s Al HaNissim Prayer for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This post presents the Hebrew and English text of the Al HaNissim prayer added to the Amidah and Grace After
An American Conservative Al HaNissim Prayer for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Siddur Liymot Hol )
This post presents the Hebrew and English text of an Al HaNissim prayer added to the Amidah and Grace After
The Religious Kibbutz Movement’s Al HaNissim Prayer for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This post presents the Hebrew and English text of the Al HaNissim prayer added to the Amidah and Grace After
Reform Zionist Thanksgiving Prayers for the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts of two original Thanksgiving Prayers for the State of Israel, written by
Rabbis for Human Rights: A Prayer for the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts of a prayer for the State of Israel that encourages people to return
A Reconstructionist Picnic Seder and Haggadah for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This post presents a creative Yom Ha’atzmaut ritual developed by the Reconstructionist movement, designed as a picnic seder, complete with
An American Conservative Al HaNissim Prayer for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Siddur Sim Shalom)
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of an Al HaNissim prayer added to the Amidah and Grace
Orthodox Evening Prayer Service for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This PDF booklet contains an Orthodox evening service for Yom Ha’atzmaut in Hebrew and English. Although the basis for the Yom
Ideas
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A Message from the URJ for Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
In this short video, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the President of the Union for Reform Judaism, encourages viewers to commemorate, connect
An Introduction to Yom Ha’atzmaut and How to Celebrate
This short article from the website of the Reform movement provides a brief introduction to Yom Ha’atzmaut and how it is
The Impossible Transition Between Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut
In this 6:20 long video, Daniel Gordis describes the challenge and meaning behind the transition between the deep grief of Yom
Yom Ha’atzmaut: New Meaning to a Traditional Prayer
In this blog post, Benjamin Dukas, a 19 year old American who spent a year studying in a Yeshivah in
How Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews Mark Yom Ha’atzmaut
This article from the Jerusalem Post explores how Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews in Israel mark the birth of the secular State
The Significance of Yom Ha’atzmaut and Jewish Nationalism
This lengthy article by Rabbi Mordechai Greenberg explores the significance of Yom Ha’atzmaut in the context of the controversial views
In Search of a Poetic Ritual for Yom HaZikaron/Ha’Atzmaut
In this blog post, Rabbi Ela Merom asks complex questions about how we use communal memory as we move through
The Religious Status of Yom Ha’atzmaut
This article from My Jewish Learning explores the differing views at to whether there is a religious nature to Israel’s Independence Day. Noting
Yom Ha’atzmaut in Halakhah, Custom & Story
This lengthy scholarly article by Dr. Aharon Arend explores different perspectives on how Yom Ha’atzmaut should be celebrated through an
What Does Yom Ha’atzmaut Mean to You? Voices from the Streets of Jerusalem
In this 4 minute long video, Rafi Di from HonestReporting asks locals on the streets of Jerusalem what Yom Ha’atzmaut
A Brief Introduction to Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel
This 3 minute long video briefly explains the history of the establishment of the State of Israel and how Yom
66 Israeli Heroes Share a Powerful Message
In this 5:42 minute long video, 66 Israeli heroes and new immigrants share powerful messages about the State of Israel,
A Yom Ha’atzmaut Message: Israel as a Divine Miracle
In this short video made for Yom Ha’atzmaut, Rabbi Doron Perez discusses how the establishment of the modern State of Israel
The International Bible Contest: An Israeli Yom Ha’Atzmaut Tradition
In this personal blog post, Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein describes the experience of accompanying her son to Israel to participate in the International
Greetings from Natan Sharansky for Israel’s 64th Independence Day
In this short video, Natan Sharansky discusses the significance of Israel for the Jewish people all over the world in honor of
Searching for a Meaningful Yom Ha’Atzmaut
In this thought provoking article, Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon calls on the Jewish community in Israel and the Diaspora to reconceive Yom
Ritual Creation for Yom Ha’atzmaut: A Conservative Rabbi’s Suggested Mitzvot
In this bold article, Rabbi Vernon Kurtz suggests a number of mitzvot – religious commandments – which he claims should
What is Yom Ha’atzmaut and How is it Celebrated?
This 3 and a half minute long video provides a thorough introduction to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, focusing on the various religious and
Yom Ha’atzmaut: How the Jewish State is Celebrated in Israel & Abroad
This article from My Jewish Learning provides a thorough introduction to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, focusing on the various religious and secular customs that
Yom Ha’Atzmaut Liturgy
This article presents a survey of some of the liturgical traditions that have developed to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut in different
Learn How
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Remembrance & Renewal: Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Children
This post presents a series of fun and educational games and activities about the history and significance of the State
HaTikvah: The National Anthem of the State of Israel
This video presents Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah (The Hope), with on-screen Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. Adapted from a poem
WUJS’s Thought Provoking Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Students
This link will take you to Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities, a site with several thought provoking activities that encourage students in the Diaspora to
Orthodox Evening Prayer Service for Yom Ha’atzmaut (English Excerpt)
This post presents an excerpt from the evening Yom Ha’atzmaut service from the Rinat Yisrael Siddur, popular among many Religious
Ideas for Booths at a Yom Ha’atzmaut Event
This short post from The Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora and World Bnei Akiva provides a list of 17 ideas for booths
Learn to Recite the Prayer for the State of Israel
This minute-long video presents a Hebrew reading of the traditional Prayer for the State of Israel customarily recited in synagogues
Learn to Recite the First Paragraph of the Traditional Prayer for the State of Israel
This minute-long video presents a slow Hebrew reading of the first paragraph of the Prayer for the State of Israel customarily
An Introduction to Yom Ha’atzmaut and How to Celebrate
This short article from the website of the Reform movement provides a brief introduction to Yom Ha’atzmaut and how it is
How to Create a Meaningful Yom Ha’atzmaut Community Celebration
This article is a guide for how to create a meaningful Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration for your community without significant resources.
The Masorti Movement’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Twilight: Moving from Memorial to Independence, a ceremony written by the Masorti Foundation
Music
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Gad Elbaz: The Prayer for the IDF
This video presents popular Israeli artist Gad Elbaz’s musical rendition of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, which
Kobi Oz: Prayer for the State of Israel
This video presents Israeli musician Kobi Oz’s original version for the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel.
HaTikvah: The National Anthem of the State of Israel
This video presents Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah (The Hope), with on-screen Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. Adapted from a poem
The Pendulum: Between Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
This somber song by Kaila Shabat touches on the challenge of moving from the intense grief of Yom Hazikaron to
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel,
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Prayer for Peace
This post presents the Hebrew and English text for a prayer for peace in Israel around the world that is
Orthodox Evening Prayer Service for Yom Ha’atzmaut
This PDF booklet contains an Orthodox evening service for Yom Ha’atzmaut in Hebrew and English. Although the basis for the Yom
Miscellaneous
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Address by Israeli President Ezer Weizman in Germany
This post presents the full text of President Ezer Weizman’s famous speech in a joint session for the two chambers
Remembrance & Renewal: Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Children
This post presents a series of fun and educational games and activities about the history and significance of the State
Prayer for the Peace of Israel During Wartime
This prayer for the peace of Israel during wartime was written by the late Rabbi Ron Aigen for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call
A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People
This prayer for peace and reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people was written by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith for T’ruah: The Rabbinic
Ideas for Booths at a Yom Ha’atzmaut Event
This short post from The Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora and World Bnei Akiva provides a list of 17 ideas for booths
We Declare: An Educational Project to Strengthen Israeli Democracy
Click this link to learn more about We Declare, a project inspired by the Israeli Declaration of Independence that unites
What Does Yom Ha’atzmaut Mean to You? Voices from the Streets of Jerusalem
In this 4 minute long video, Rafi Di from HonestReporting asks locals on the streets of Jerusalem what Yom Ha’atzmaut
A YU Professor Remembers the Establishment of the State from New York
In this 4 and a half minute long video, Rabbi Dr. Bernard Rosensweig celebrates Israel’s 63rd birthday by recalling the
Israel as the Eternal Home of the Jewish People
This short video, created for Israel’s 69th Independence Day, celebrates Israel as a home for the Jewish people from ancient times until