Israel’s National High Holidays
Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’atzmaut unite Israelis around a shared story, but they also highlight divisions. Tal Becker, Donniel Hartman and Elana Stein Hain discuss.
Israel’s National Holidays — Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’atzmaut — commemorate the last century’s major upheavals of Jewish history. While these days are meant to unite Israelis around a proud, shared story, they also highlight divisions in Israeli society. Arab Israelis and Haredim generally don’t participate in the commemorations, excluding over a quarter of the country’s population.
Tal Becker joins Donniel Hartman, and Elana Stein Hain to better understand the intent, complexity, and evolution of Israel’s national holidays, and share their favorite ways to celebrate. Listen here:
For Heaven’s Sake is a podcast from the Shalom Hartman Institute’s iEngage Project that revives the lost art of Jewish debate for the sake of illuminating a topic, not sowing division. The podcast draws its name from the concept of Machloket l’shem shemayim, “Disagreeing for the sake of heaven.”
Subscribe to For Heaven’s Sake on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you receive your podcasts.