Israel at 78: The Challenge of Memorial and Celebration

As Israel marks 78 years of independence, the transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut feels more complicated than ever. In this episode, Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg explore how Israelis and Jews around the world are grappling with grief, identity, and the challenge of celebration in a year shaped by war, loss, and deep political tension. Together, they ask: what does it mean to mark independence when so much feels unresolved—and how do we hold onto hope anyway?IN THIS EPISODE·       The emotional transition from Remembrance Day to Independence Day, especially since October 7·       1 year since the Ra’anana synagogue Pogrom and what it reveals about Israeli society·        The absence of accountability—and its impact on national mourning, reclaiming Zionism, the Israeli flag, and the Declaration of Independence·       State Independence Day ceremony vs. alternative torch-lighting in Tel Aviv·       How to stay connected and deepen engagement in a time of tension·       Why “peace” must return to the conversation—and what that could look like today