6. From Tears to Return: Between Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

In this powerful conversation, Rav Shlomo Katz sits down with his dear friend Justin Pines for a special episode recorded for JBS Network, in honor of a very challenging upcoming Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut. Together, they explore the sacred transition between Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut — the moment when a nation moves from mourning to renewal, from loss to life. Speaking with warmth and honesty, Rav Shlomo shares his personal experiences from October 7th and beyond, reflecting on what it means to lead, to grieve, and to believe in Am Yisrael during times of heartbreak. Through stories, Torah, and music, he reveals how prayer can become a mirror of the soul, not just a way to reach Heaven, but a way to truly reach ourselves. He reminds us that teshuvah, the act of return, is not only spiritual but also national: a call to come home to our people, our land, and our purpose.