Honoring Israel's National Days with Masa Israel Journey 2025

The National Holidays in the Hebrew month of Iyar are marked by a challenging week where we observe two days of remembrance followed by a day of celebration.

This period encompasses: Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, honors the memory of the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust.
Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s National Day of Remembrance, is dedicated to the soldiers who fell in defense of the State of Israel and to civilians who lost their lives in acts of terror. In the wake of the horrific events of October 7th and the “Iron Swords” war, we will be holding a special place in our hearts for the many Israeli soldiers and civilians who tragically lost their lives over the past year and a half.
Yom Ha’Atzmaut is a day of celebration and festivity that marks the historic re-establishment of the Jewish state.

These days serve as moments of remembrance, reflection, and renewal—honoring the past while shaping the future.

This year’s theme, Together We Remember, aims to encompass both the pain and loss we are feeling while reflecting our hope that global Jewish unity will bring better days to come.

At Masa Israel Journey, we believe that we are equally obligated to honor our history and to actively shape the collective Jewish future.

We invite you to stand together, to remember, and to reaffirm our commitment to a future built on shared values and enduring hope.

Educational Materials

We have compiled resources from organizations that consider this year's unique and challenging context to provide framing for these National Days. Our goal is to connect the fellows to Israeli society through the frame of the National Days, and through the Israelis they know best: their organizers, madrichim, and coordinators.

We recommend exploring the below educational offerings for this year.

Explore below the different resources

Yom Matzpen for Organizers - April 1st at Beit Avichai

This year offers an opportunity to deeply explore the challenges facing Israeli society and the broader Jewish world. During this training day, our goal is to provide organizers with the tools to address the collective trauma of living through more than a year and a half of war and tragedy and to offer thoughtful frameworks and educational content for teaching about the upcoming national days.

Register here

Yom Hashoah - April 23-24

We invite you to take part in these Memorial events and learning opportunities with your Fellows. With our partners at Yad Vashem and the ANU museum, we’ve crafted workshops and testimony sessions that are especially curated to reflect the unique sensitivities of this difficult year. There are options on Erev Yom HaShoah at the ANU Museum and Yad Vashem, including the official state ceremony. On the day of Yom HaShoah, there are multiple workshop options at Yad Vashem. Spaces are limited.

For more information on educational and memorial opportunities:

Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, April 29-30

Each year, Masa hosts the largest English-speaking international ceremony, the Yom Hazikaron Memorial Ceremony, to honor Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. It's a time for Jewish communities worldwide to come together in remembrance and grief for those who are no longer with us. In their passing, they command us to embrace life and uphold their legacies.

For information about the ceremony and educational offerings click here

Light a Virtual Yizkor Candle in Memory of Israel’s Fallen Defense & Security Forces

You can now light a virtual Yizkor (memorial) candle together with millions of others commemorating this day.

Light a Virtual Candle

Yom Ha’Atzmaut- Israeli Independence Day, April 30-31

While holding in our hearts the pain and challenges of this last year, we look forward and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments and bravery of the people of Israel.

Explore resources and events here