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May 25, 2009
Remembrance
I was in Tel Aviv the first time I heard it. The siren sounded at 8:00 pm sharp—and the whole city stopped. Pedestrians stopped in their tracks, cars stopped in the streets, and drivers got out of their vehicles and stood perfectly still beside them. Everyone stood perfectly still. The whole city was quiet, except for the siren. It sounded for a full minute before it stopped, and Tel Aviv went back to normal.
I learned, later, that the whole country stops for the siren on Remembrance Day. For one moment, all of Israel stands in silence to honor the warriors who have died for Israel in wars and acts of terrorism. I imagined how impossible it might be to orchestrate such a moment in the city of Boston—let alone the entire United States.
The next morning I went to the Western Wall to make my wish, and I was wondering why the area seemed so empty. As I was placing my prayer in the wall, the siren sounded again and everybody straightened up and stood still—and I did, too, with my left hand still touching the wall. There I was—frozen in time at this place that is so ancient, so important—saying a silent “thank you.”
I realized then why the Western Wall was so quiet that morning. Everyone was at the cemeteries—because so many Israelites know someone who they want to remember.
Have you ever stumbled upon an important cultural event during your travels? Email your story to:
harriet@oattravel.com
I’m especially interested in stories about China and North Africa to include in my next updates—but of course I’ll welcome your travel tales from anywhere in the world.
Harriet Lewis