Reflection, remembrance and joy – Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut at Pinner Synagogue
The theme of the evening was ‘song’: the sombre mood of Yom Hazikaron brought members of the Pinner community together, remembering the fallen of past conflicts, and those who perished in the atrocities of October 7th, amid a medley of Hebrew songs on video, composed during those dark times, featuring families and colleagues of the victims.
“It is impossible to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut without remembering the cost,” said one participant, recalling the oft-repeated statement that “Yom Hashoah is the price we paid for not having a Jewish State. Yom Hazikaron is the price we pay to have one.”
The theme of ‘song’ then changed the mood to one of upbeat optimism, with more inspirational videos of communal singing across generations of Israeli families, as synagogue members enjoyed a sumptuous barbecue supper, then sang and danced in celebration of Ha’Atzmaut, accompanied on the guitar by Avi Kleiman, son of Pinner Synagogue Rabbi Jason Kleiman.
“Here in Pinner we are geographically far, but so emotionally close to Eretz Yisrael,” commented one of the attendees, adding, “but especially at such a difficult time, this evening was indeed a wonderful way to connect with Israel.”
