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Kr

The Hillel family observes ho

ys in Israel and at home.

SHELLI DORFMAN

Editorial Assistant

ast week, Hille.
tan
School of Metr„
Detroit was represented
Israel on two i ''' ant
days. Parents traveling
Michigan Miracle Missio:
alumni studying in
grams joined with Israeli
ing Yom HaZikaron, Isr
Memorial Day, and Yord
Israeli Independence Da
On Tuesday, April 20.",
HaZikaron commemo
tyrs and heroes of Israel,
died in wars, terrorist atta cks
helping to create the state
That day, a siren sounde d.
a.m. For a full minute, the entire
country paid tribute as one. Even the
traffic stopped. Travelers in cars and
buses were seen standing on the
roads, paying silent homage to those
who had lost their lives for Israel.
Florists donated bouquets for the
vast crowds gathered outside Heal
Memorial Mountain in Jerusalem to
place on gravesites.
Following the path of Israeli histo-
ry, the mountain took visitors from
Yad Vashem (the Holocaust muse-
urn) at its base, upward to the mili-
tary cemetery, and then to the burial
place of Israeli dignitaries, including
that of Theodor Herzl, founder of
the World Zionist Organization.
Overhearing Israelis around them, it
was clear that most everyone recog-
nized a name on a tombstone; a
neighbor, a roommate, a brother, a
son. They joined in as the country's

in

lyi%

head cantor led the martyrs prayer, el

maklay rachamim.

During a memorial service in
Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, one West
Bloomfield resident looked up and
realized that next to her was
Yitzhak Rabin's widow, Leah, recit-
ing the universal words of the kid-
dish, just as she was.
At nightfall, as Yom HaZikaron
ended with the start of Yom
HaAtzmaut, fireworks lit up the
Israeli skies. Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu spoke to the
country and the Hillel group joined
with others in singing Israel's nation-
al anthem, "Hatikvah". Everywhere,
people danced in the streets and took
part in outdoor concerts. On the day
of the holiday, the Detroiters, like the
Israelis, typically celebrated by
attending barbecues, picnics, sport-

e
ing events and special synagogu
vices held in honor of the country's
independence day.

Back At Home

At Hillel's Farmington Hills
facility, the week was reserved for
commemorations and tributes to
the fallen, as well as celebrations
of Israel and its founding. On
Yom HaZikaron, with the
school's flag at half-mast, repre-
sentatives from the eighth grade
greeted classmates in the parking
lot, carrying large Israeli flags in
solemn tribute.
A fifth grade class constructed a
model Kotel (Western Wall), by
attaching newspaper-filled paper bags
made to look like large stones,
between which students placed notes
of wishes and prayers.

ers took children
in first and second grades, "pass-
ports' in hand, traveling to various
classrooms, each one representing a
different city in Israel.
Yom HaAtzmaut lunch included
the traditional falafel sandwich.
Teacher liana Adler, along with her
class and volunteer parents, made
enough meals for the student body
of 720, with produce donated by
Hiller's Market.
An Israel Independence Day
Festival on Wednesday brought
more than 1,000 fun-seekers to the
school. Stringing Hebrew name
necklaces, dancing, bouncing on an
outdoor moonwalk and riding in an
electricity-powered train running
behind the school, the group had
great fun celebrating the holiday.

4/30
1999

Detroit Jewish News

43