A Year of Sirens, A Day of Silence

Reflections on Yom Ha’atzmaut in a year that has been anything but quiet.

There are three sirens that we expect this time of year.

They are the scheduled sirens for Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron, which are sounds that lead the national pauses. Each one ushers in a moment of silence where the entire country comes to a halt, united in reflection, remembrance, and often, tefillah. For three moments each year, regardless of our backgrounds or beliefs, we stand together as one people. In a country which is often marked by its differences, these sirens remind us that beneath the surface, we are still deeply connected.

When it comes to Yom Ha’atzmaut, we have a full day without a siren. There isn’t a distinct moment that forces us to pause nor is there any ritual that defines what we are meant to do. It arrives quietly, and for many of us, it remains in a quiet place.

This year, that silence feels especially noticeable. Over the last few months, we’ve experienced way more than three sirens. Albeit, with a slightly different sound, these sirens interrupted regular lif…