“Together, We Remember”

This is the largest English-language Memorial Day ceremony in the world, commemorating lone soldiers and victims of terror from across the Jewish Diaspora. The ceremony will be held in English, translated into additional languages, and broadcast to hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world—from Turkey and Ukraine, across Europe, to the United States, Australia, Morocco, and New Zealand.

Among those laying wreaths will be Barbara Lubliner, a Masa alumna who made Aliyah from Spain, who lost her husband, Ariel Lubliner z”l, also a Masa alumnus, during reserve duty in Gaza in the Swords of Iron War. The Kaddish will be recited by Shmuel Daunov, widower of Master Sergeant Yulia Vekser Daunov z”l, who was killed in battle at the Nova Festival in Re’im on October 7. The Prayer for the State of Israel will be delivered by Emily Damari from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who was kidnapped from her home and survived 471 days in Hamas captivity.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide are expected to watch the International Yom HaZikaron Ceremony in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror from the Diaspora. The ceremony, now in its 18th year, is organized by Masa Israel Journey, founded by The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel. It will be broadcast to Jewish communities in approximately 60 countries and translated into multiple languages.

At the heart of the ceremony are the stories of lone soldiers, new immigrants, civilians, and visitors who came to Israel from around the world and either fell in the line of duty in the IDF or were murdered in acts of terror—both in Israel and abroad.

The English-language International Yom HaZikaron Ceremony is the largest of its kind in the world. It is translated into Hebrew, Spanish, Russian, and French, making it accessible to hundreds of thousands of Jews in the Diaspora and to immigrant communities in Israel. The ceremony will be broadcast in countries including Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, Morocco, Turkey, France, South Africa, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, and more.

This year, due to the war and the fact that many delegations will be unable to travel to Israel to attend in person, the ceremony will be pre-recorded and broadcast across multiple platforms, allowing Jews around the world to connect to this day from afar.

Among the stories to be featured in the ceremony:

• Staff Sergeant (res.) Ariel Lubliner z”l, the 900th fallen soldier in the Swords of Iron War. A Masa alumnus who made Aliyah from Brazil after his program, he was killed during reserve duty in Gaza. He is survived by his wife Barbara, an immigrant from Spain, and their son Lior, who was nine months old when Ariel fell.

• First Sergeant Jordan Ben Simon z”l, who made Aliyah from France and was killed during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza while on operational duty.

• Master Sergeant Yulia Vekser Daunov z”l, who immigrated from Ukraine. On October 7, she initially left the area before the attack began. Upon hearing of the events, she turned back to assist in the fighting, where she was killed.

• Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky z”l—Sarah was American, and Yaron made Aliyah from Germany. Both worked at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. They were murdered in a terror attack outside the embassy following an event for young diplomats. They were set to become engaged at the Western Wall just a week later.

• Yaakov Leviton z”l, a Masa alumnus, who was murdered in a terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. He is survived by his wife Adina and their five children.

Chairman of The Jewish Agency, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog:

“The stories of those who fell from the Diaspora remind us that the bond between the Jewish people and the State of Israel is not merely an idea, but a courageous choice and a deep commitment. Young people who made Aliyah, enlisted, built their lives here, or came to visit—and became an inseparable part of Israel’s story. On this Memorial Day, we remember them together, in Israel and around the world, and draw strength from our shared responsibility for the future of the Jewish people and the strengthening of the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. May their memory be an inspiration for generations to come.”

CEO of Masa Israel Journey, Meir Holtz:

“For several years now, we have been in an ongoing war for our existence—not only the Jewish people in Israel, but the Jewish people everywhere. This year, Masa’s International Yom HaZikaron Ceremony is more meaningful than ever before. ‘Together, We Remember’ is not just a slogan—it is an essential truth for our people. In the upcoming ceremony, hundreds of thousands from all corners of the world will watch, from near and far, as we remember together all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the continued existence of the State of Israel—especially those who came here from around the world, who chose Israel as their home, or who were murdered solely for being Jewish. We will remember them together, forever, as heroes. May the memory of the fallen be a blessing.”

Link to the live broadcast:
The ceremony will begin on April 20, 2026 (Yom HaZikaron eve) at 7:55 PM (Israel time)

YouTube

For media inquiries:
Tal Bar-On Morali: +972-54-776-3133