26 | MAY 30 • 2024
J
N

O

n Sunday, May
12, more than 500
members of the
Detroit Jewish community
gathered at Temple Israel
to commemorate Yom
HaZikaron, the national
Memorial Day for the fallen
soldiers of the IDF and the
victims of terror.

Each year, we commemorate
this meaningful event in our
community, but this year
was different. Oct. 7 had a

devastating impact not only on
every person in Israel, but also
on every Jew around the world
who has some connection to
our Jewish homeland. We all
felt directly impacted by the
events, which was evident by
a significantly larger number
of attendees than in previous
years.
This year’s community vigil
was a powerful collaboration
between the Jewish Federation
of Detroit, the Michigan Board

of Rabbis and the Friends of
the IDF. Together, we created a
meaningful program, focusing
on honoring the victims of
Oct. 7 terror attack and the
fallen soldiers who gave their
lives defending Israel in the
war that has been raging since.

As community members
entered the program, they
walked between displays
created by students of Frankel
Jewish Academy and Hillel
Day School, guided by our

community Shinshinim
(young ambassadors from
Israel). The displays brought
to life the loss and grief for
the fallen soldiers, the victims
of the kibbutzim and cities in
the Gaza envelope, the victims
who were killed at the Nova
music festival and others.
It was a beautiful expression
of the connection between
the next generation of our
Jewish community and the
people of Israel. Names and

Honoring
the Fallen

Community gathers for meaningful
Yom HaZikaron event.

LIOR ZISSER-YOGEV SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

OUR COMMUNITY

PHOTOS BY JOHN HARDWICK

Community
members lit
candles for
the fallen.

The Shinshinim led the
candle-lighting ceremony.