Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut

Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) & Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day)

Sundown on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, marks the beginning of Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), followed by Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) at sundown on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025. Together, we move from remembrance to joy, joining our Israeli brothers and sisters and Jews throughout the world in honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers and those who have lost their lives to terrorism, as well as celebrating Israel’s milestone 77th year of independence.

While we remain heartbroken following the horrific attack on October 7th, the ongoing war and the wait for the return of the remaining hostages, this year’s Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut resonate with profound emotion and significance, and remind us of the enduring resilience of the Israeli and Jewish spirit.

Below you will find a series of reflections from some of our community Shlichim highlighting the grief and hope of this moment, as well as events and resources to commemorate Yom HaZikaron and celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Each year, through a program of The Jewish Agency for Israel and generous funding from The Jewish Federation, Federation’s Community Shlichim Program brings Shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to Greater Washington to deepen our connection to Israel and Israelis. (Learn more and get to know the Shlichim.)

Learn More About Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut

• A Reflection on Matkon Im Zikaron
• From Yom Hashoah to Yom Ha’atzmaut: The New ‘High Holidays’ of Israel
• JxJ Jewish Film and Music Festival Israel Programming
• My Jewish Learning: Israel Independence Day
• My Jewish Learning: Israel’s War of Independence
• PJ Library: Yom Ha’atzmaut
• The Commemoration Site of Fallen Defense and Security Forces of Israel