May 7, 2014 By: yunews
Students Commemorate Israel with Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut Programs
Hundreds of students filled the Wilf Campus鈥 Lamport Auditorium May 5 for 黑料社 All鈥檚 Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) ceremony honoring Israel鈥檚 fallen soldiers and victims of terror. The student-led event featured a candle lighting ceremony and video presentation, as well as remarks from Yehuda Avner, former Israeli diplomat; President Richard M. Joel; Dr. Wolf Lebovic, Canadian communal leader and recent YU honorary degree recipient; and Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, Joel and Maria Finkle Visiting Israeli Rosh Yeshiva.
After the moving program, students proceeded to the Max Stern Athletic Center for a night of dancing and refreshments at the annual Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut (Israel Independence Day) Chagigah celebrating Israel鈥檚 66th birthday.
Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut festivities continued May 6 with a Tefillah Chagigit, a special prayer service, followed by breakfast and a Yom Iyun dedicated to learning about the importance of Israel. After a seudah [meal] for the men in the Max Stern Athletic Center and a mesiba [gathering] for the women in Weissberg Commons, a festive outdoor celebration was held in Tenzer Gardens in the afternoon, featuring a concert, barbecue, carnival and art exhibit.
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing like celebrating Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut at YU,鈥 said Arel Levkovich, 鈥15YC. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see so many people coming together from all different parts of the University to show their support for the state of Israel. The programs were well done and helped me get into the spirit of the day.鈥
For Tammy Last 鈥14S, the festivities were particularly meaningful. 鈥淚鈥檓 making aliyah [emigration to Israel] this summer and I鈥檓 enjoying my last Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut here with all my friends from Stern, at this beautiful celebration. It鈥檚 nice to be able to dance and celebrate with so many people who all love Israel like I do.鈥
