Dear Friends,
For those who may not know me yet, my name is Niv Sadeh, and I serve as the community Shaliach from Israel here at the Kaiserman JCC, working with the Jewish community of Philadelphia.
Passover has just ended, and we are now entering a short yet deeply meaningful stretch of time known in Israel as the “Yamim” days of remembrance and celebration.
As an Israeli, this will be my first time experiencing these days away from home.
In Israel, the shift in atmosphere is tangible. The tension, the reflection, and the anticipation are woven into the streets and public spaces. I’ve realized that here, I won’t hear the sirens that bring the entire country to a halt, two minutes of silence for both Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron, a piercing pause that instantly transforms the mood in every home and on every street.
My connection to these days runs deep. My father lost his own father at the age of three, during the Six Day War, in one of the battles that led to the reunification of Jerusalem. I’m also the great-grandchild of four Holocaust survivors who made it to Israel and rebuilt their lives and families there. I grew up commemorating Yom HaZikaron by visiting my grandfather’s grave at Mount Herzl and attending ceremonies on Yom HaShoah. These experiences shaped me, as a person and as an educator. The photo included here is of me as a child and my great-grandfather in Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Here is a link to light an electronic memorial candle in honor of my grandfather Z”L.
Now, living in the U.S., I find myself reflecting on how these days are observed here, and how different that experience is. In Israel, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut are back-to-back, with a stark emotional transition from grief to joy. That contrast feels like a powerful message: our freedom and independence were hard-won, and we must remember those who made it possible.
But I wonder, is this juxtaposition something we, as a global Jewish people, want or need to preserve? In the U.S., Memorial Day and Independence Day are completely separate. What impact does that have on collective memory and national identity? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And I’d love you to join us for a celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut. We will immerse ourselves in the Israeli flavors (including Zahav hummus! and fresh pita), while playing Israeli field games (I promise to be gentle during soccer), and embrace the sounds of the vibrant Israeli band Hashayarah, performing as part of their 2025 USA tour. This will be a beautiful opportunity to gather, celebrate, and reflect together on Israel’s 77th anniversary. Click here for more details and register.
Wishing you a meaningful and inspiring Yamim,
Niv Sadeh
Community Shaliach, Kaiserman JCC
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