LIVING YOM HAZIKARON

By: Chelsea Shar, Current Mayanot Student Dotted around raised, beige-coloured stone graves of those fallen soldiers and fighters, are olive green, tan and white uniforms of tho se living, fighting soldiers. The contrast is most compelling. For every soldier the tacit protocol at Mount Herzl elicits rolled down sleeves; buttoned-up and tucked-in shirts; and hats firmly mounted on heads (as opposed to being strapped on shoulders). Yom Hazikaron is literally translated as Remembrance Day. It is a day dedicated to every official and unofficial soldier and civilian killed while protecting the land of Israel whether in action or spirit; war or terrorist attack. Like all war memorial cemeteries, being buried on Mount Herzl is a commendable tragedy. I feel extremely privileged and honoured to have experienced this juxtaposition. Living in Jerusalem, studying at Mayanot and attending the Mount Herzl Yom Hazikaron ceremony I felt, and still feel, extremely connected to Israel and