Holidays in the Month of Iyar
Yom HaShoah
Wednesday, April 11
Yom HaShoah
, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, both commemorates the death of the 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis but also recognizes the role of the partisans, righteous gentiles, and all those who resisted the horrors of that time.
Yom HaZikaron
Wednesday, April 18
Yom HaZikaron
is Israel's Memorial Day. On this day, we commemorate Israeli fallen soldiers and all those killed by terrorist attacks.
Yom HaAtzmaut
Thursday, April 19
Observed by the Milwaukee Jewish Community with:
Yom Ha'Atzmaut
is Israel's Independence Day. It celebrates the creation of Israel 70 years ago.
Lag B'Omer
Thursday, May 3
Lag B'Omer
celebrates the 33rd day in the counting of the Omer (these are the days between Pesach and Shavuot). On this day, a plague killed 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva's students. It is also the yahzeit (anniversary of death) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochi, the author of the Zohar (core text of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism). Before his death, he requested that the anniversary of his death be a day of celebration, not of sorrow. Today Lag B'Omer is celebrated with bonfires, picnics, archery, and many 3 year old boys getting their first haircuts.
Yom Yerushalayim
Sunday, May 13
Yom Yerushalayim
(Jerusalem Day) celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 during the Six Day War. This year marks 51 years since Jerusalem was once again a place open to people of all religions to visit their holy sites and worship.
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