Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, take place on back-to-back days each spring. To transition from one to the other, Israelis often take part in an event called Tekes Ma’avar, or a ceremony of transition.
At these events, Israelis light torches to memorialize the dead, lift the flag from half-mast to the top of the pole, recite prayers and sing songs. It’s a memorial that turns into a celebration.
It’s a reminder that, “Sometimes, to maintain independence, you have to make the ultimate sacrifice,” said Rav Shai Cherry, spiritual leader at Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park.
It’s a valuable lesson. It’s also one that Cherry, his synagogue and another local shul, Temple Sinai in Dresher, are going to teach Americans about their Israeli brothers and sisters on April 21 at 7 p.m. That night at Adath Jeshurun, Cherry and other local leaders will bring a Tekes Ma’avar to the Philly area.
“It’s to provide an opportunity for people to come together and identify as lovers of Zion, as lovers of Israel, at a time when that feels fraught,” Cherry said.
The rabbi knew about the celebration from visiting Israel, but he came up with the idea of bringing it to Old York Road after the Gaza ceasefire in the fall.
“Right after the 10/7 war ended and we got the hostages back, it didn’t feel like a celebration as much as a relief,” he said. “This is the first opportunity we’ve had to memorialize the events of the war since the war ended, and to celebrate the independence of the country and the return of all the living hostages.”
Israel now finds itself in another war, but Cherry doesn’t think the new conflict will take away from the meaning of the event.
“When we planned this, we didn’t expect to be in another war, but we still don’t want to lose the opportunity to recognize the sacrifices and celebrate the strengths that Israel has shown since 10/7,” he said. “It’s easy to criticize this or that policy or action, but that’s not what Independence Day is about. Independence Day is about celebrating the fact that we have the ability to take action, autonomously, as an independent state.”
Cherry believes that, despite rising antisemitism and war in the Middle East, the Jewish people have never been stronger.
“Our ability to control our destiny has never been greater,” he said.
At a time like this, it’s important to gather publicly, proudly, without fear, according to the rabbi. This event is open to anyone in the community. There will be security, but for once in this era of Jewish life, it will not be a primary topic.
“We have a responsibility as a Jewish community not to be scared by those who would do us harm. We have a responsibility to come together to be able to celebrate our vibrancy, our continuity. It flies in the face of the fact that we need security. We’re not going to let the scare tactics make us stay home,” said Abbey Krain, an event organizer, Temple Sinai member and the senior associate regional director of ADL Philadelphia. “We’re coming together in person, to be with one another, to learn with one another, to sing with one another.”
Krain said that the event will be educational. She referenced the recent 92nd Street Y speech in which New York Times columnist Bret Stephens argued that investing in education was more important than fighting antisemitism.
“The answer is really both,” Krain said. “Safety and security is paramount. But also, we have to focus on learning, not just in our synagogue communities, but also on Israel and what it means to us as American Jews.”
Krain had never heard of a Tekes Ma’avar before she was approached by her rabbi, Adam Wohlberg of Temple Sinai, to be part of this event.
“I don’t think a lot of people have heard about it. Most people know Yom HaZikaron; most people know Yom Ha’atzmaut. I think it’s fascinating to bring them together,” she said.