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Israeli Independence Day: Yom Ha'Atzmaut

People celebrating outdoors with an Israeli flag in the background.

On the fifth day of the month of Iyar, Israeli Independence Day celebrates the founding of the State of Israel. Originally corresponding to the date May 14, 1948, Yom Ha’Atzmaut commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv. Many rituals and prayers have been added to traditional liturgy to mark this historic occasion, including the Prayer for the State of Israel and the Prayer for Peace. As Israel’s sovereignty did not come without a cost, Yom Ha’Atzmaut is celebrated the day after Yom Ha’Zikaron (Israeli Memorial Day), which honors those who lost their lives for the establishment of the Jewish state. Today, as tension and unrest continue to define the state of affairs between Israelis and Palestinians, we turn to ritual, prayer, and poetry as a container for our hopes and dreams for peace and safety.

Latest Rituals

“May this prayer help open hearts and bring down walls of oppression for all humanity”

Person holding a sign with Peace written in English and Hebrew at a street rally with people in the background.

Prayer for the State of Israel updated to be inclusive of all its inhabitants

A lively outdoor gathering with people celebrating around a table, holding Israeli flags, and enjoying a meal.

“Are there truly two Jerusalems?”

Historic stone walls and tower overlooking a cityscape under a cloudy sky.

A prose poem describing an experience in the Carmel forest in Israel

green mountains and bright cloudy sky in northern israel

Blessings for Israel to be used in the Amidah

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A new haggadah for a Yom Ha’Atzmaut seder

Haggadat Haatzmaut poster with a picnic basket, celebrating Yom Haatzmaut with study and community activities.
A havdalah ceremony to transition between Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Flag waving in front of a dramatic sunset, casting a silhouette over a rocky landscape and cloudy sky.

A song inspired by listening to Palestinians tell their stories of hardship

Orange and black butterfly on a branch with a leaf and an empty chrysalis.

Prayer for peace between Israelis and Palestinians

Close-up of two people holding hands outdoors, with others in the background.
Prayer for peace in Israel
A yellow flower rests on a stone surface in a cemetery with blurred tombstones in the background.

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

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