The two days of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut are directly after each other on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Hazikaron memorializes the soldiers who have fallen while fighting for Israel’s safety, while Yom Haatzmaut celebrates Israel’s birthday. These two days coming directly after each other gives Israelis and all Jews the opportunity to memorialize people who have helped keep our homeland safe, but not dwell on the inevitable sadness that comes with the day.

As the sun sets on Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut is only just beginning. Yom Haatzmaut is filled with pure joy and happiness that our great country has survived and prospered for another year.

CAJE, through the Jewish Federation holds a Jewish teen program every year to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut. This program ecompasses all Jewish youth groups in Saint Louis and this year it took place at the JCC east building. Members of BBYO, USY, NCSY, JSU, and NFTY gathered together on April 22, the night of Yom Haatzmaut.

“It was awesome that all of the youth groups from St Louis were able to come together to celebrate a place and community we all love so much,” said Alyson Yawitz, senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and a member of Shaare Emeth.

The program began with the members of every youth group meeting to eat a traditional Israeli dinner including falafel, pita, hummus, and french fries. This provided time for members of the different groups to meet new people and socialize with old friends.

“I most enjoyed just being able to talk about Israel with so many interesting peers” said Matt Frischer, senior at Parkway Central and a member of United Hebrew.

After venturing to the main ceremony with the rest of the community where the Hatikvah was sung as well as an Israeli flag ceremony was performed, there were different activity rotations available in relation to Israel. These included playing gaga, learning krav maga, helping with a community service project and the viewing of “Beneath the Helmet”, a video following the first year of service of Israeli soldiers.

“It was really cool getting to be with my friends and hang out with other people from other youth groups, i cant wait to do more events with other groups too,” said Zoe Alper, freshman at Whitfield School and member of B’nai Amoona.