Israel’s most costly war to be the focus of milestone Yom Hazikaron 2008
The planning for this year’s Yom Hazikaron Commemoration honouring Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror is well underway, with meetings of the planning committee by communal co-hosts Am Echad; AUJS; Caulfield Hebrew Congregation; the Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Victoria (COSV); Hagshama; Hamerkaz Ha’Israeli; JNF Victoria; Magen David Adom Victoria; UIA Victoria, the Victorian Union for Progressive Judaism (VUPJ) and WIZO Victoria, under the auspices and coordination of the State Zionist Council of Victoria.
To be held on Tuesday evening May 6th at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash Clayton Campus, the ceremony will focus on the momentous milestone of the 60th anniversary of Israel’s War of Independence paying tribute to the 6,373 lives lost in action as Israel fought for and gained statehood. The milestone is made even more significant given that the War of Independence has been Israel’s most costly war; it claimed almost 1% of the Yeshuv (pre-state) community at the time.
A most important aspect of the commemoration is the involvement by people who have lost a family member or friend in one of Israel’s wars or terrorist attacks. In order to include as many bereaved families and friends as possible the SZCV, together with co-hosting organisations, invite community members to contact Elly Shalev with information about the fallen family member or friend, at eshalev@szcvic.org or call 9272 5519.
The sensitivity involved in this occasion means that participation in the ceremony will of course depend entirely on the family and may include the lighting a candle which is accompanied by the reading of a biography of the fallen, a photo in the program which every attendee receives and organised seating in the hall.
If you know of someone who has lost a member of their family or friend; please forward them this message so that they too can be involved.
For more information contact:
SZCV Executive Director, Ginette Searle 9272-5544
SZCV Director of Public Affairs, Elly Shalev 9272-5519
The State Zionist Council of Victoria leads and encourages Jewish and Zionist activity and expression within Victoria, to represent the Jewish community, to promote and communicate Israel’s interests within the broader Victorian community and to promote Victoria’s relationship with Israel.
For more information, please visit the State Zionist Council of Victoria website www.szcvic.org