Today, the reborn Jewish State marks the 77th anniversary of the proclamation of the Independence of the State of Israel. This historic event took place on the 5th of Iyar, 5708 (May 14, 1948), at 4:00 PM — eight hours before the end of the British Mandate for Palestine — in the house of Meir Dizengoff, on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv.
Seventy-seven years ago, on a spring day — the 5th of Iyar, 1948 — David Ben-Gurion (David Yosef Green) solemnly declared the Declaration of Independence, announcing to the world the fulfillment of the Jewish people’s centuries-old dream: the return to the land of their historical Homeland, the establishment of an independent Jewish State, and the unwavering aspiration to bring to life the great slogan — “to be a free people in our land, the Land of Zion and Jerusalem.” It was signed by 25 members of the People’s Council, while space was left for another 12 members who were trapped in besieged Jerusalem. The ceremony was broadcast by Kol Yisrael radio.
“This year, the central theme of the traditional ceremony on Mount Herzl is ‘Bridges of Hope.’ After the ‘Black Saturday’ of October 7, 2023, and the war that followed, women and men, girls and boys from various communities in Israel and the Diaspora took the initiative into their own hands, building bridges of hope with their efforts, understanding that where there is division, shared hope must be strengthened in all areas of Israeli life. The ceremony will emphasize the values of exceptional volunteerism, boundless charity, innovation and inspiration, as well as energetic actions for the sake of national unity, strengthening the national spirit, healing, rehabilitation, and internal reconciliation — along with efforts to bolster Israel’s military, security, technological, economic, and social strength,” reports the website www.gov.il.
This year, 35 individuals will light the 12 traditional torches in honor of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. These men and women — heroes of the front and the home front — represent a vivid human mosaic of personal and national heroism, remarkable resilience, a spirit of volunteerism and mutual aid, determination, civic contribution, and triumph of the spirit. They are living symbols of Israeli society — one that fights, remembers, stands strong, and builds bridges of hope for a better future.
The Jewish community of Dnipro and our website join all the greetings addressed to the State of Israel on this day and wish the country prosperity, well-being, and, of course, peace — and to all its citizens, good health, safety, and many generations of peaceful life.
Mazal Tov, Israel!
