b'WESTERN MARBLE ARCH SYNAGOGUEYOM HAZIKARON ALAN GOLDBERGAnotoftengiventheappropriate day significanceandcommemorationoutside ofIsrael;YomHazikaronwasoriginallya day to remember, honour & memorialise the fallen heroes who died fighting for the birth of Israel in the war of Independence in 1948. It was established by Israels founding father and 1st prime minister, David Ben Gurion, in 1951 and a committee of the Knesset decreed the date would be the 4th Iyar, the day before the better known day of celebration, Yom Haatzmaut. Yom Hazikaron became Israeli law in 1963 and then in 1980 it changed its focus to include those killed in the many wars and terrorist actions since the States founding. As with other Jewish days of observance, Yom Hazikaron begins the evening before and is marked in Israel by a siren heralding a minute of silence. By law, restaurants and places of entertainment are closed as are the majority of shops. Broadcasters air stories and memories of war that convey the sombre mood of the day. The following morning ceremonies and services are held up and down the country. The number of fallen military personnel and citizens killed in terrorist attacks exceeds 27,000; the vast majority of whom fell in their homeland, defending Israels right to exist. The solemnity of the day touches every householdreligious, secular, sabra or a more recent arrival. At 11am the whole country comes to a complete stop when a second siren begins the two minute silence. Even the roads are still as drivers stop and stand with their heads bowed. Yom Hazikaron translates as Memorial Day or Remembrance day. Remembering, especially those who have died, is an integral part of Judaism, often formalised into a structured process. When we lose a loved one we have the Shiva, the Sholoshim, the 11 months of kaddish, the year of mourning, the Yahzeits, the recitation of Yizkor four times a year. Commemorationandtheconsciousactofnotforgettingis fundamental to Judaism and it is not hard to see this as driving force behind its survival through centuries of challenge. Our daily services 48'