Yom HaAtzmaut in United States

Israeli flags are often visible at events that celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut. ©iStockphoto.com/ kreicher

What do people do?

What do people do?

Many Jewish organizations, including community centers, university student groups, and some schools, organize events to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Many of these events are open to the general public and include entertainment such as:

• Kosher pizza dinners.
• Singing, music and dance games or performances.
• Face painting.
• Flag making activities.
• Barbecues.
• Special rides, including camel rides.

Some Jewish communities also celebrate Israel’s Independence Day with benefit concerts featuring bands from Israel, as well as local bands. A variety of music is usually offered, ranging from traditional music with a rock twist to modern music from Israel. Various art and craft activities for children and young teenagers are also incorporated into events that celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Public life

Yom Ha’Atzmaut is not a federal public holiday in the United States.

Background

Many Jewish Americans celebrate Israel’s independence on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. It commemorates when David Ben-Gurion, who was Israel’s first prime minister, publicly read the Israel’s Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. According to the Jewish calendar, this was the fifth day of Iyar, the eighth month of the civil year, in the year 5708.

According to the Jewish calendar, the fifth day of the month of Iyar cannot fall on a Sunday. If this date falls on a Friday or Saturday, Yom Ha'Atzmaut is observed on the third or fourth day of the month. If the date falls on a Monday, it is observed on the sixth day of Iyar. This is so that the festivities do not fall just before, on, or just after the Sabbath.

Symbols

The most prominent symbol seen at events that celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut is Israel’s flag. This is a white rectangle in the ratio 11:8 with two horizontal blue stripes, one at the top and one at the bottom. A regular hexagram, known as the Star of David, or Megan David, is depicted in blue between the stripes.

About Yom HaAtzmaut in other countries

Yom HaAtzmaut Observances

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• Pascua Florida Day (Thursday, April 2, 2009)
• United Nations' Mine Awareness Day (Saturday, April 4, 2009)
• Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2009)
• United Nations' World Health Day (Tuesday, April 7, 2009)
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• Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
• Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
• Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 12, 2009)
• Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
• Father Damien Day (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)
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• Emancipation Day (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 17, 2009)
• Orthodox Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 18, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
• Patriot's Day (Monday, April 20, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter Monday (Monday, April 20, 2009)
• San Jacinto Day (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• Yom HaShoah (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• Oklahoma Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
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