On May 8th, 2013, residents of Jerusalem will mark the annual Jerusalem Day. This day marks the ‘reunification’ of the city at the end of the Six Day War in 1967. Prior to this day, the city was divided between Israeli and Jordanian rule from 1948, with some parts of the city cut off by physical walls and fences.
Although this day has caused some political controversy in the past, it is generally viewed by many Jerusalem residents as a day of celebration, and it is an official festive day in the State of Israel- marked by governmental ceremonies and in the Israeli school system.
The holiday was initially coined by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel in 1968, as “a day of thankfulness for the miracles of the day and the liberation of Jerusalem”. Later that year, the Israeli government announced that this day would be the official holiday and anniversary of the city, and this was instated in Israeli law in 1998.
Over the years, this has become a day for Israeli officials and politicians to state allegiance to the city and its ‘wholeness’. These included Jerusalem mayors, Israeli prime ministers and presidents.
The Jerusalem Day holiday is marked by several official and unofficial events. Every year, a memorial service at Giv’at Ha’Tachmoshet commemorates the memory of those soldiers lost in the battle for Jerusalem. At this site, a difficult battle occurred, and it is considered a symbolic location for the entire Six Day War.
On the Eve of Jerusalem Day, an assembly takes place at the Merkaz Harav yeshiva- in West Jerusalem, followed by a ceremonial march to the Old City and the Western Wall.
The following afternoon, the famous “Flag Dance” commences in the center of the city- usually from Sacher Park or Independence Park. Hundreds of Israeli youngsters dance through the streets of the city, carrying the blue and white Israeli flag. The dance becomes a march, leading the participants around the Old City walls and into the Western Wall compound, where they dance and sing through the night.
In many synagogues, special prayers of thanks are said on Jerusalem Day. These include the prayer of ‘Halel’- used for general feelings of thankfulness on special holidays throughout the year- and special hymns written for Jerusalem Day by various Zionist rabbis.
Although some resistance exists towards this day- mainly from Arab and left wing residents, the events usually pass quietly, and most Jerusalem residents get caught up in the general feeling of festivity and thankfulness.
With many flags of Israel and the symbols of Jerusalem hung throughout Jerusalem, and many Israelis and visitors flocking to the city to participate in the celebrations, Jerusalem takes on a special atmosphere on Jerusalem day- Jerusalem’s anniversary and birthday. (JERUSALEMCOM)
