By Yiftah Leket
Some insights…
The Theme
When we started planning the Yoms in the Israel and Overseas Department of the Detroit Jewish Federation, we wanted to tell a story. While the world continues to struggle with a pandemic, and each community is focused on its own survival, we decided on the theme “Hearts Together” to say that the story of Yom Hazikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, is not only about Israel. It’s about the relationship we as a community have with Israel.
Our Youth
We wanted our youth to lead the Yom Hazikaron Ceremony and they made us proud. Students from Frankel Jewish Academy and our Partnership region took on the responsibility of carrying our community through Yom Hazikaron in a brave and dignified way. In the rehearsals, it was amazing to see how serious they took this role upon themselves, and how they expressed seeds of hope within the words of sorrow they read.
Partnerships
In many ways, Israel is a platform for different partners in our community to come together. You can be affiliated with any Jewish stream or any political ideology. Israel has a place for everyone at the table. The partnerships that formed in the planning of the Yoms became as meaningful as the outcomes. We worked closely with the dedicated staff and students from Frankel Jewish Academy. We partnered with JCC’s JFamily — who really know how to create the best environment for families. We worked closely with B’nai Akiva at Farber Hebrew Day School on an Israeli-themed picnic and we incorporated our Partnership region into most events. These partnerships show how Israel, and the Yoms in particular, can be a meaningful way to bring us together.
On a Personal Note
This was one of my only Yoms outside of Israel but it was definitely the most meaningful one.
When you grow up in Israel amongst the atmosphere of the Yoms, it affects you deeply and shapes your Israeli and Jewish Identity.
After years and years of ceremonies for Yom Hazikaron and celebrations for Yom Haatzmaut, some of them with my participation as a guitar player and some as an organizer, they all eventually feel like one long Yom. They blend together and it’s hard to remember specific moments.
Ten years ago, Amichai Itkis Z”l, my friend from the Airforce, died in a night flight when he and his navigator crashed in the middle of the Israeli desert.
That night the ‘national days’ took a very personal turn in my life.
This year was special for me as I had the opportunity to combine my personal feelings with my new identity as a member of the Detroit Jewish community by virtually bringing Amichai’s sister to a Yom Hazikaron commemoration event with our Partnership volunteers.
From Yom Hashoah through Yom Hazikaron, ending with our celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, I was proud to be a Detroiter and an Israeli.
I want to thank our community for being together, remembering, celebrating, sharing memories and creating meaning for the Yoms.