May 5th. Fireworks go off over a song and dance routine at the rehersal for the National Yom Ha’atzmaut Yom Ha’zikaron changeover ceremony.  National Rememberence day goes from seven pm day one to seven pm day two; Independence day goes from seven pm day two to seven pm day three.  The government sponsors and televises a huge ceremony for the change from the saddest to the happiest day of the year.

The event takes place on Har Herzl.  The stage itself was wrapped around Herzl’s grave stone.  “Pimp my grave, Herzl edition” said Anna Blum. The ceremony featured singing, dancing, fireworks, military parades, and speeches by twelve guests and the speaker of the Knesset.

One of the twelve guests happened to be Barbara Goldstein, head of Hadassah in Israel. Hadassah sponsors Year Course and we were given her guest tickets.  Thanks BG.