Yom Ha’Atzma’ut

Yom Ha’Atzma’ut is Israel’s Independence Day. The State of Israel declared its independence on the 5th day of Iyar 5708 (May 14, 1948). The holiday is celebrated on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday on or near the 5th day of Iyar. If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations are moved up to the preceding Thursday. If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Monday, the celebrations are postponed until Tuesday. In the year 2010, the 5th of Iyar falls on a Monday, so the celebrations will actually be observed on the 6th of Iyar (Tuesday, April 20, 2010).

In Israel, the Independence Day is a national holiday. The official Independence Day ceremonies are held on Mount Hertz, in Jerusalem at sundown at the conclusion of Yom HaZikaron. The ceremony begins with a speech by the President of Israel, with additional events to mark the establishment of Israel. In addition, twelve torches, representing the twelve Tribes of Israel, are also lit. Israeli citizens who have made a significant social contribution are invited to light these torches. Throughout the country, there are other celebrations to commemorate the independence of the State of Israel.

Traditionally, Yom Ha’Atzma’ut ends with a ceremony granting the Israel Prize, which recognizes individual citizens for their unique contribution to the country’s culture, science, arts and humanities. Some past recipients of the Israel Prize include: Shmeul Yosef Agnon (literature) ~ 1954 and 1958; Yigael Yadin (Jewish studies) ~ 1956; Martin Buber (humanities) ~ 1958; Youth Aliyah (education ) 1958; Golda Meir ~ 1975; Aharon Appelfeld (literature) ~ 1983; Teddy Kollek ~ 1988; A.B. Yehoshua (literature) ~ 1995; Amos Oz (literature) ~ 1998; and Mordechai Rotenberg (social work) ~ 2009.

There is also a religious element to Yom Ha’Atzma’ut. The Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel has declared Yom Ha’Atzma’ut a Jewish holiday requiring the recitation of Hallel. Some movements within Judaism also include the reading from the Prophets and/or the prayer of Al HaNisim (Prayers concerning the miracles). The rationale for this is that the creation of Israel represents a miraculous victory of a small band of Jews over the numerous surrounding Arab force.

In American Jewish communities, the day is often celebrated as a way of expressing solidarity with the State of Israel.