By: Sofia Elkin, Rosh Chinuch, Hanoar Hatzioni B’Argentina
Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) induces a very small gap between two very strong
emotions. It is a moment full of significance. It is a day in which in Israel and in the
Jewish communities around the world, we remember the fallen soldiers in the battles for
our national home and the victims of terrorism; without their sacrifice, we would not
have an Independence Day to celebrate since Israel would not exist.
Yom Hazikaron is a day when the Jewish world stops. The siren is sounded for two
minutes when public transportation stops. People stop what they are doing. Every action
is suspended for these two long minutes that carry memories and sadness.
Visiting Mount Herzl during Yom Hazikaron is one of the most emotional moments I
have experienced. The families and friends of the fallen soldiers arrive with bouquets and
memorial candles to light next to the graves as they do every year. No matter how long
ago the war was when the soldiers died, their graves are surrounded by people who still
mourn their death. At this time, a story which has marked me as a chanicha of the tnua
comes to my mind: the story of Moshe Naihaus. Moshe Naihaus was a young boy who was
an active chaver in our tnua Hanoar Hatzioni. He was born in Buenos Aires, and in 1962
chose to get to know another reality, like many chaverim of the tnua, and went to Israel
for the first time as a part of a one-year program. After returning to Argentina, he
continued his work in the tnua until he decided it was time for him to make Aliyah. This
is how he arrived at Kibbutz Nitzanim.
In 1967 he enlisted in the Tzava. Moshe fell in the “War of Attrition” at only 24 years of
age, fighting for his ideals and for ensuring peace in the country. Along with Moshe, we
must also remember Jacob Krosh, Yitzhak Lampolsky and David Volpin, among many
other chaverim in the tnua, who are the examples of those who dreamed the tnua’s ideal.
They were the ones who imagined, planned and gave their lives so that the State of Israel
would become what it is today.
Memory is an attribute which characterizes us as a people. We have the great
responsibility not only to remember but also transmit and educate in light of this
memory. In a few years, our chaverim will be the ones to teach others our customs,
stories, happy moments and sad moments too. Among the essential values of Hanoar
Hatzioni is the value of life; it is so important for the tnua, the Jewish people and the
entirety of humanity.
These events must not weaken us, but make us stronger, united as a people and society.
Events like this are not only an attack against the Jewish people but also against life itself.
“For the righteous falls seven times, and rises again.”
King Solomon, Proverbs 24:16
Chazak Ve’ematz
