Yom Hazikaron

Last week we remembered those who lost their lives during the Holocaust.  Tonight and tomorrow morning we will stand as a siren rings out throughout Israel and we will commemorate Yom Hazikaron a day to remember the fallen soldiers of Israel and those who lost their lives as a result of terrorism.

I've seen many people comment after the soldiers have taken action in the defence of this country, I have seen people speak ill of these soldiers and yes it’s easy to do that from a keyboard, easy to speak badly of people who you don't know and of a country you have never visited and never bothered to learn both sides of the story.  When I see the soldiers, I don’t see hardened, tough fighters, I see kids in uniform. I see 18 and 19 year old Israelis who shouldn't have to be in uniform, who should be doing what I got the opportunity to do at 18.  Which is go to University and live a life without have to worry about being called up and possibly going to war.

It’s easy for people to judge Israel, to judge these soldiers, but don't judge when you haven't lived here or experienced it.  I can't say I have experienced it, I came to Israel too old to join and do my part.  But I see these Israeli's going to the army to serve and do their duty and I am proud of them and every time there is trouble I pray that they safely come home to their families.  Because at the end of the day everyone wants their kids to come home safely no matter what they do.

Yom HaShoah - Never Forget

Tonight/Now here in Israel is Yom HaShoah known around the world as Holocaust Remembrance Day. Its a time of remembering the 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust.  

Most of you probably might say who gives a f**k, it happened before I was born, didn't affect me, why should I care. Well you should care, maybe it doesn't affect you directly and you didn't lose a family member, but as saying goes Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. And that is very true. 

Has the world gotten any better since then, maybe people will say yes in terms of technology and other aspects, but there are still wars being fought, people are still dying because of simple differences. 

So tonight is important, remember what happened, all the lives that were lost and I know many of my friends have young children and you would do anything to protect them and to make the world a better place.  Focus on that, the world we live and work for, is for them, our future to live in a world where the Holocaust never happens again.

As someone who visited some of the camps in Poland, I do urge people if you have the chance to go there, to hear the stories and to remember and never let it be forgotten.

NEVER AGAIN.