Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut Ceremonies Rock Belfer Commons

On the fourth of Iyar, 5759, Yeshiva University celebrated the independence of Israel with the 12^th annual Yom HaZikaron Tekes /Yom Ha'Azmaut Chagigah. The function, held in Weissberg Commons, was sponsored by the Israel Clubs of YC and SCW, YCSC, TAC, SCWSC, SOY, and B'nei Akiva. The program recognized Israeli politics and religion, and celebrated their synthesis as a defining element of contemporary Jewish culture.

The first part of the program was the tekes, or commemorative ceremony, which memorialized the soldiers who fell while defending the Promised Land. Eric Freeman, YC '99, sang Ana Lo HaChovesh as six students solemnly marched down Weissberg's center aisle carrying Israeli flags. These students were directed to the front of the room where they each lit a remembrance candle. The audience members stood at attention and sang HaTikva. Hadar Weiss, President of the Israel Club, then invited three groups of students to recite poetry in both Hebrew and English.

Afterwards, Lt. Colonel David Raz, a retired veteran of the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War, spoke of his experiences in Tzahal, the Israeli Defense Force. Students were visibly moved by his bittersweet tale of devotion to his country and the losses sustained in the heat of battle.

Following Raz's presentation, Rav Meir Goldwicht delivered a d'var Torah in Hebrew tying Parshat Kedoshim and the beauty of shabbat to the Jewish homeland. Elizabeth Stub, SCW '01, said, "even though I wasn't zocheh to be in Eretz Yisrael this year, Rav Goldwicht's speech made me feel like I was there." Finally, those in attendance sang Ani Ma'amin as students prepared the room for Maariv.

The Maariv program, which followed a Seder Yom HaAtzmaut, featured a number of additional tehillim for the occasion.

Shortly after Maariv, the festive portion of the evening kicked off with the lively music of the Neshama Orchestra. The crowd of white-and-blue clad students spent the night dancing, waving flags, and shouting with fervent Zionist ardor.

The band left around 12:30, but the night was far from over. Students were encouraged to bring their own instruments for an impromptu kumsitz following the chagigah. The kumsitz, which inspired students with a Carlebach-flavored jam session and some outstanding musical handiwork on the bongo, continued strongly until about 2:00 am.

Noah Roth, SSSB '00, proclaimed, "Reb Shlomo was looking down and smiling!"

Some YU students admitted to attending the festivities with less than Zionistic intentions. One student "just wanted to blow off a little steam from schoolwork," and another took advantage of the occasion to "mingle with the beautiful girls who had come all the way from Midtown to join in the celebration."

Other students, like Eido Jacobowitz, SSSB '00, "just came for a great time."