Israeli Paratroopers Visit Wilmette to Mark Israel's Memorial Day

IDF soldiers with Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Aviv Ezra (center) and FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim (right) at the Wilmette “Yom Hazikaron” commemoration last week (Photo credit: Robin Subar Photography).

WILMETTE, Ill. – Four paratroopers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) visited the Chicagoland area last week as part of a delegation organized by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) surrounding “Yom Hazikaron” and “Yom Ha’atzmaut,” Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days.

Arriving with the paratroopers were members of the IDF Musical Ensemble, some of Israel’s most talented active-duty artists, who perform for IDF troops stationed across Israel – and to select civilian audiences around the world.

The soldiers commemorated “Yom Hazikaron,” Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, on Sunday, April 30, at Beth Hillel in Wilmette, in a ceremony led by Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Aviv Ezra and attended by hundreds of local residents who had lost loved ones in Israel. As part of the ceremony, the IDF Musical Ensemble and local Israeli-American artists performed a selection of traditional Israeli songs.

“As an Israeli diplomat living abroad, it is always hard for me to commemorate this day outside of Israel. However, seeing this incredible crowd and the incredible community gathered here is mind boggling for me, and it gives this day a new and special meaning,” said Ezra. “To the families who mourn, I say: The entire state of Israel, the entire people of Israel, and all of us here share your pain – but not all of us really know your pain. What we do know is that those heroes, and their immense sacrifices, are the reason that Israel continues to exist.”

The paratroopers, some of whom are Lone Soldiers – those who immigrate to Israel with no immediate family in order to serve in the IDF – originally from the United States, spoke about their experiences leaving their families and friends to join the IDF and protect the State of Israel, where military service is mandatory for men and women.

“We wanted to do something special to mark these important commemorative and celebratory days,” said FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim. “These brave paratroopers who put it all on the line to defend the Jewish homeland helped our community understand more about soldiers’ duties and sacrifices – and led us in remembering Israel’s fallen heroes and celebrating Israel’s independence.”