Cong. Etz Chaim, Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills (YIKGH) and the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) combined forces, as they have done annually, to commemorate Yom Hazikaron and to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut on Wednesday evening, May 8, at Etz Chaim.

To commemorate Yom Hazikaron, Tehillim, Kel Maleh Rachamim, Misheberach for the Soldiers of Israel, Tefilah L’Shelom Hamedina and modern poems of Yom Hazikaron were recited with great emotion.

The fourth-grade YCQ Choir, led by YCQ Music Director Tali Brody Spector, excitedly sang a combination of slow, emotional songs to commemorate Yom Hazikaron and then transitioned into lively numbers celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut. The crowd joined in with extraordinary enthusiasm!

Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, the host rabbi, introduced Prof. Moshe (Milton) Markovitz of Teaneck, formerly of KGH, who in his talk, entitled “Witnessing the Birth of the State of Israel,” related his memories of the original Yom Ha’atzmaut—which occurred on 5 Iyar, May 14, 1948—from the perspective of a 4-year-old toddler! He had vivid memories and his presentation was unique.

The youth participated in special activities related to the Chag, including Gimkit TorahTech Chidon Yisrael. After communal singing of the Hatikva, the crowd partook in traditional foods such as falafel, hummus and tchina.