20th Century Holidays


Click to jump to:

A few holidays have been added to the calendar to commemorate various significant events of the 20th century relating to the Holocaust and the modern state of Israel. All of these holidays occur in the period between Passover and Shavu'ot. These holidays are not universally acknowledged, the dates are not entirely agreed upon, and the observances are not yet standardized. Nevertheless, they are worth noting.

Yom Ha-Shoah

Also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, this holiday occurs on the 27th of Nissan. "Shoah" is the Hebrew word for the Holocaust. This is a memorial day for those who died in the Holocaust.

[Editor's Note: The date for Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Day was set as the closest date to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising immediately after Passover and before Israel Independence Day.]
  • April 30, 2011 (27th of Nisan, 5771)
  • April 18, 2012 (27th of Nisan, 5772)
  • April 6, 2013 (27th of Nisan, 5773)

Yom Ha-Zikaron

Israeli Memorial Day, observed on Iyar 4, remembers those who died in the wars that Israel has fought. 

  • May 8, 2011 (5th of Iyar, 5771)
  • April 24, 2012 (3rd of Iyar, 5772)
  • April 14, 2013 (5th of Iyar, 5773)
 

Yom Ha-Atzmaut

Israeli Independence Day, marking the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. It is observed on the 5th of Iyar. According to some views, the restrictions of the Omer period are lifted for this day. A few Anti-Zionist Jews observe this day as a day of mourning for the sin of proclaiming the state of Israel without the Messiah.

  • May 10, 2011 (6th of Iyar, 5771)
  • April 26, 2012 (4th of Iyar, 5772)
  • April 16, 2013 (6th of Iyar, 5773)
 
 

Yom Yerushalayim

The 28th day of Iyar, Yom Yerushalayim, commemorates the reunification of the city of Jerusalem in Israeli hands. According to some views, the restrictions of the Omer period are lifted for this day.

  • May 31, 2011 (28th of Iyar, 5771)
  • May 19, 2012 (28th of Iyar, 5772)
  • May 7, 2013 (28th of Iyar, 5773)

Source: Judaism 101