Ahead of Yom HaZikaron, at Beit HaNasi, in Yerushalayim, on Wednesday, April 15, President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal Herzog, hosted bereaved families of IDF soldiers and members of the security forces in a deeply emotional meeting.

Representatives from Yad LaBanim and the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization joined parents, widows, siblings, and children.

Among those remembered were Staff Sgt. Omri Perez, Staff Sgt. Niv Radia, Sgt. Shani Shay Germay, Maj. Daniel Gomez, Maj. Mordechay “Moti” Shamir, CSM Yigal Nissim Iluz, MSgt. Salim Barkat, and Sgt. Uriel Avraham.

The families representing loss, came from the north and south, across generations, from the early 2000s through the current war.

According to David Metzler of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, more than 350 new widows and over 900 new orphans have been added to Israel’s bereaved community. More in the past two years than in the previous years.

Revital Shamir brought her three young children, including Ori, who was born after her father was killed on October 7, fighting Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Sunday, April 19, with a different group of widows and orphans from the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. He told them, "How does one live with the grief? It is very difficult, and I can tell you that we all feel it. I lost my eldest brother, and it was as if someone took an axe and cut off my arm and my leg. Then someone came to me during the Shiva and told me that he also lost a brother – he was a bereaved brother. He said to me, "I know you won't believe me, but the torment you are going through will not always have this intensity or such agony as you feel now; there is life after this.

"There are also new chapters, and you will have new lives and new joys. Joys will come. I know it's hard to believe right now, but they will.

"But the greatest thing I can tell you: it is not in vain. It is not in vain, because without them, we have no existence. We are here thanks to the heroes, our chain of heroes. Therefore, your parents are heroes; and you, with the pain, the memory, and the void, have one thing that you know: your fathers are the ones who ensure the eternity of Israel."

“In every such meeting, the heart fills, and the soul is shaken anew,” President Herzog told the families after they shared their stories with him. “Each of the fallen is an entire world, values-driven people who acted with a deep mission, saving the lives of people they did not know.

“I cannot change the difficult fate,” Herzog added, “but I have the privilege of saying thank you, for who they were and what they represent. They fell for the most exalted purpose. I wish you moments of comfort alongside moments of joy, and for all of us, better days of quiet and security.”

Yom HaZikaron begins at night with a variety of community commemorations throughout Israel. Some large outdoor events were recorded this year because of the security situation. During the day, there is a morning memorial siren and visits to military cemeteries. 

The day of mourning turns to celebration with Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, as the sunsets. Israel at 78.  A day to return to barbecues and celebrations, assuming the ceasefire continues to hold.