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.

