Each spring, Israel goes through a heart-wrenching transition. Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism is marked on the day before Independence Day. A week earlier, on Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, the country mourns for the victims of the Nazi genocide and recalls the heroism of those who rose up against it. The proximity of deepest mourning and joyous celebration is a unique and dramatic feature of Israel's civil religion. What lessons, implied or overt, are conveyed by this juxtaposition of death and life? Political adviser and columnist Annika Hernroth-Rothstein and Voiceofisrael.com web editor Ruthie Blum discuss the issue. Anchor: Steve Ganot. Camera: Doron Persaud. Archive: Roi Castro, Reuters, Newsenders. Makeup: Hagar Nahmias.
