Masa, the leader in global Jewish and Israel-focused programming, will hold its 17th annual Remembrance Day ceremony at Yad Lashiryon in Latrun on Tuesday, April 29, at 7:45 p.m.
The event, which will be broadcast live to Jewish communities worldwide on Jpost.com, will host more than 4,500 attendees and countless viewers worldwide.
This year’s commemoration, titled “Together We Remember,” has special significance in the wake of the October 7 massacre, the ongoing war, and the sharp rise in global antisemitism, and will provide a space for collective reflection.
Notable attendees will include Yossi Fuchs, cabinet-secretary of the Israeli government; Rebecca Caspi, senior VP, Global Operations & director general, JFNA Israel; and Yehuda Setton, CEO of The Jewish Agency for Israel.
They will be joined by Masa fellows and alumni, Jewish Federation delegates, bereaved families, and community members.
Maj-Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, and Meir Holtz, CEO of Masa, will deliver remarks.
This year’s ceremony will share the stories of Masa alumni who fell in battle: French-born Sgt.-Maj. Ronny Ganizate, who fell in Lebanon, and Sgt. Ilan Cohen, who made aliyah from Argentina and fell in Gaza.
In addition, the event will share the stories of Capt. (posthumously) Daniel Peretz, South African-born platoon commander in the Armored Corps, who fell on October 7 and whose body remains in the hands of Hamas; Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was shot and kidnapped from the Nova festival and murdered in Hamas captivity; Bruna Valeanu and Hanani Glazer, both orginally from Brazil and who were murdered at the Nova festival; and Israel Police Insp. Andrei Poshibai, born in Ukraine, who fell on October 7, while rescuing people from the Nova festival.
“Yom Hazikaron, our day of remembrance, is an essential part of Israel and the Jewish people,” says Holtz, CEO of Masa Israel Journey. “Each year, we hold the ceremony in English and other languages to make this day accessible to Masa fellows in Israel in a language they understand and with content they can relate to.
“This year, this goal feels more important than ever. The Jewish people are at a pivotal moment; our unity and solidarity are critical. That’s why this year’s theme is ‘Together We Remember.’ This ceremony is for us to focus on the heroes, cherish the world they left behind, and try to be worthy of their sacrifice. May their memory be a blessing.”
Masa fellows will honor the memories of their fallen loved ones, including Capt. Omer Neutra (US), whose body is still being held by Hamas. His childhood friend, Abigail, a Masa fellow, will talk about Neutra, and Sofia, an American participating in a Masa program in Israel, will honor the memory of Yogev Pezi, an Israeli who served as an emissary (shaliach) to a Jewish summer camp in the United States.
Wreaths will be laid by bereaved families and representatives from the Israeli government, Keren Hayesod, and JFNA.
“On Yom Hazikaron, we come together with deep sadness and a strong sense of responsibility. We remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for the State of Israel. Their memory serves as a moral compass, connecting the past to the future,” said Almog. “The stories show the deep connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
For more information or to watch the live stream, visit Masa’s Facebook and YouTube, or view the live stream on the Jerusalem Post website.