Shavei Israel communities celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut around the world
This week Israel and the Jewish world marked Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel Independence Day – and Shavei Israel’s communities celebrated in style. We have a great selection of photos – from Israel, India, El Salvador and Colombia.
Israel
The Bnei Menashe community in Upper Nazareth paraded through the streets of their Galilee home with flags in hand.
Meanwhile at Kfar Hasidim, the newest Bnei Menashe immigrants marked their first Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Yom Hazikaron is held exactly 24 hours before Independence Day. The movement between a day of mourning and a night of great joy is one of the most powerful transitions in Israeli life.
India
We have pictures from two Bnei Menashe communities – in Mizoram and Manipur – and some photos from our friends at the Zion Torah Center in Erode.
Here’s the scene in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram:
And here’s a picture from Kangpokpi in Manipur:
In Erode, there was a torch lighting, songs and balloons:
El Salvador
Our pictures from the Bnei Anousim community in Armenia are from Yom Hazikaron – note the memorial candles:
But the mood changed to joyous with the singing of Hatikva, the Israeli national anthem:
And a bonus: the community singing not “next year in Jerusalem” but THIS year in the Holy City:
Colombia
Let’s finish our Independence Day round-the-world tour in Bogota where the community knows how to celebrate in blue & white. Plus…falafel!
