Yom H's: Hashoah, Hazikaron, Ha'atzmaut

Yom H's: Hashoah , Hazikaron , Ha'aztzmaut.

They all have a common thread and they all involve our Hearts in a different but significant way.

One, in a deep sorrow and loss for those perished in the Holocaust.

Another, for the heart-wrenching stories of those fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Lastly, the joy of our hearts beating to have a nation to call our own. A homeland for the Jewish people. A unity, connection and togetherness of Jews coming together.

The featured image was taken at Har Herzl, expressing the elements of the 3 days.

זכור' for remembering the 6 million lost in the Holocaust

The Israeli flag representing the our independence of our own Jewish state and homeland.

The grass is the 'blanket' of grass over the graves of those fallen soldiers and victims of terror in Israel.

On Yom Hashoah: 10am Siren - Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps came to a complete halt at 10am this morning to remember the 6 million. It is a chilling sensation to see absolutely everything stop and stand; and then come back to life just as the Jews always have לזכור.

Our Career Israel group were allowed to attend the annual Yom Hashoah Ceremony. Words cannot really describe the emotions of commemorating Yom Hashoah at the Yad Vashem in Yerushalayim, the land of our original ancestors and now united as a strong state and nation - Israel - being addressed by President Shimon Peres and PM Benyamin Netanyahu. An extremely special privilege and opportunity. Looking around and truly appreciating the fact that the Jews now have a place to call home and a protective army of our own. This day was only the beginning of what was to be an emotional experience of mourning for our brother's, sister's, family and fellow Jews. עם ישראל חי

The Eve of Yom Hazikaron: A day spent in Yerushalayim remembering the fallen soldiers and victims of terror, visiting Har Herzl and finally joining thousands of Masa participants in Latrun for the ceremony, all of which brings emotions of deep sorrow, heart-wrenching moments, personal stories, seeing the relatable young ages of the fallen, mourning with bereaved families, seeing the pain in mothers' eyes, tears; yet admiration, love and pride for our protectors, heroes, family and people we don't even know. We would not have Eretz Yisrael, if it was not for each of these brave and sacrificing individuals -יהיה זכרה ברוך.

On the morning of Yom Hazikaron: I decided to board the first bus that I saw and take 15 minutes to drive around Tel Aviv and take in what we have today and state that we have built in the very short time of 66 years. As I scanned the passengers aboard my bus, I noticed there was an extreme diverse crowd. I was sitting next to an African, a soldier in front of me, a religious mother further forward, an old religious man in the front, a guy with hair longer than me, a woman with a dog and a mohawk, and many other different personalities. As the siren sounded, many of us got off the bus to stand on the pavement, bowed our heads and took 2 minutes to remember those fallen soldiers and victims of terror. As you pray for those we've lost, you pray for those that are still out there, you pray for their protection and victories, for their families and friends.

It's a high price to live in Israel but it was one worth fighting for.

My day continued with an afternoon visit to Har Herzl in Jerusalem with a friend of mine. The atmosphere was completely different to previous visits/tours. This day, I saw the pain on the families faces, heard the murmuring and singing of tehillim and Kaddish at the graves, watched families sit around their fallen loved ones sharing stories and memories about the fallen, the intensity of the eerie emotions while walking around. After a few hours after paying our respects, we thought it was only appropriate to praise Hashem at the Kotel for protecting us throughout the wars, the miracles and unexplainable victories of Israel and for the protection of our current and future soldiers serving Israel.

Yom Ha'atzmaut: Our Yom Ha'atzmaut was brought in through a beautiful and spiritual transition of davening in a kikar in the Old City of Jerusalem with Rabbi Ezra Amichai. The davening minyan was dedicated to the memory of Michael Levin - an American Oleh who fought for Israel with his heart and soul, and touched and inspired millions. The atmosphere in Jerusalem completely switched over and the sounds of celebratory music could be heard throughout the streets as the crowds began to parade decked out in blue and white and waving their Israeli flags up high, singing songs of praise.

The party continued on the sheirut back to Tel Aviv with my friend, 15 shekel laffas and a bottle of wine. We got to TLV to join a roof top party with a beautiful view of the skyline and then carried the party on at the Street Party on Rothschild. Completely packed, with the Rabbi Nachman trucks overloaded with people jumping and dancing to Chassidic music with a remix twist. It is without a doubt that this Yom Ha'atzmaut was on to remember and so far unmatched.

The Recover-From-A-Hangover Day or the Non-Stop-Party? As known, TLV is the city that never sleeps we spent the next day at another roof top party before joining a spiritful and joyous crowd of Israelis celebrating this beautiful country at Kikar Dizengoff. Is there anywhere else in the world that takes celebrating in the streets, day in, day out, with this amount of energy and love for a country? Hmmmm... Don't think so.