The Special Israeli Yoms (Days): History a Path to the Future

Today is Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance), Israel’s Memorial Day is next week, followed by Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, and Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, a few weeks later. These 4 Israeli holidays are all considered modern Jewish holidays.

As we move through this season of modern Jewish holidays—Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzmaut, and Yom Yerushalyim—we are invited into a powerful moment of reflection. These days remind us of both the fragility and the resilience of the human spirit. They carry the weight of memory, loss, sacrifice, and triumph—and above all, they ask something of us: to remember, to honor, and to grow.

At the end of each dark chapter in Jewish history, there has always been perseverance. Light eventually emerges from the shadows. This isn’t only a story of the Jewish people—it’s a truth woven into the human journey. Again and again, history shows us that from moments of pain, beauty can rise. A better world is possible—and it is ours to shape.

But how much faster could we reach that better world if we truly learned from the past? If we listened not only to the triumphs but also to the mistakes, with open hearts and a willingness to do better? These modern Yoms are more than just commemorations and celebrations—they are lessons. They teach us that history is not only behind us—learning from history is the path forward.

There is a beautiful Midrash (traditional rabbinic interpretation that uses storytelling to reveal deeper meanings in the Torah) that says God used the Torah as a blueprint to create the world. In the same way, we can use history as our blueprint to create a better future. The past is not just a record of what has been; it’s a guide to what can be.

Or, as the wise Rafiki once said to Simba in The Lion King, “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”

This is also why celebrating these Yoms matters. As the modern manifestation of Jewish perseverance and peoplehood, Israel represents more than a nation—it is a living testament to the strength, resilience, and continuity of a people who have faced adversity and emerged with unwavering resolve. From the story of the Israelites in the Torah, to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, and then rising from the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel embodies the Jewish ability to rebuild, rise, and continue striving toward a better future for all. It is a core piece of Jewish identity, a symbol of that unbreakable spirit, and a reminder that after each dark moment in history, perseverance, and light follow.

Let these Yoms be a reminder, an invitation, and an inspiration—to reflect, to grow, and to build. We are not alone in shaping a brighter future. The past is behind us, but it is also beneath us, holding us up—guiding our way forward. Israel, as both a symbol and a reality, reminds us of the strength and hope that is always present, no matter how dark the times may seem.

B’Shalom (In Peace)

For more information about each holiday check out:

PJ Library

My Jewish Learning

Exploring Judaism