Yom HaAtzmaut in United Kingdom
Quick Facts
Many Jewish communities in the United Kingdom celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut, which is Israel’s Independence Day, on the fifth day of the month of Iyar in the Jewish calendar.Name
Yom HaAtzmautYom HaAtzmaut 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009Yom HaAtzmaut 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.
See list of observations below
Israeli flags are often seen at Yom Ha'Atzmaut events. ©iStockphoto.com/khrolenok
What do people do?
Special matinee shows are held in some parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Some events include dance demonstrations or choir performances, as well as speeches by leaders within the Jewish communities.
Dance parties or club nights to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut are also held, particularly for young adults. They are often themed in blue and white to honor the colors on Israel’s flag and feature modern pop music, particularly songs from Israel. Some dance parties may showcase special guest DJs while others may include charity raffles where the proceeds go towards humanitarian or environmental causes in Israel.
Public life
Yom Ha’Atzmaut is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom.
Background
Many Jewish people in the United Kingdom celebrate Israel’s independence on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. It commemorates when David Ben-Gurion, who was Israel’s first prime minister, publicly read the Israel’s Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. According to the Jewish calendar, this was the fifth day of Iyar, the eighth month of the civil year, in the year 5708.
According to the Jewish calendar, the fifth day of the month of Iyar cannot fall on a Sunday. If this date falls on a Friday or Saturday, Yom Ha'Atzmaut is observed on the third or fourth day of the month. If the date falls on a Monday, it is observed on the sixth day of Iyar. This is so that the festivities do not fall just before, on, or just after the Sabbath.
Symbols
Israel’s flag is often the most prominent symbol seen at events that celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut. This flag comes in the shape of a white rectangle in the ratio 11:8 with two horizontal blue stripes, one at the top and one at the bottom. A regular hexagram, known as the Star of David, or Megan David, is depicted in blue between the stripes.
About Yom HaAtzmaut in other countries
Read more about Yom HaAtzmaut.Yom HaAtzmaut Observances
Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | Apr 22 | 1980 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | May 7 | 1981 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 28 | 1982 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 19 | 1983 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 8 | 1984 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 25 | 1985 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | May 14 | 1986 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 5 | 1987 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 21 | 1988 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | May 10 | 1989 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 1 | 1990 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 18 | 1991 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | May 7 | 1992 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 27 | 1993 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 14 | 1994 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | May 4 | 1995 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 24 | 1996 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 13 | 1997 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 30 | 1998 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 21 | 1999 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | May 10 | 2000 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 26 | 2001 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 17 | 2002 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | May 7 | 2003 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 27 | 2004 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | May 12 | 2005 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | May 3 | 2006 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 24 | 2007 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | May 8 | 2008 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 29 | 2009 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 20 | 2010 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 10 | 2011 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 26 | 2012 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 16 | 2013 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 6 | 2014 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 23 | 2015 | Yom HaAtzmaut | Jewish holiday |
Other holidays in April 2009 in United Kingdom
- Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2009)
- First day of Passover (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
- Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
- Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 12, 2009)
- Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
- Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
- Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 17, 2009)
- Orthodox Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 18, 2009)
- Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
- Orthodox Easter Monday (Monday, April 20, 2009)
- Yom HaShoah (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
- Shakespeare Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
- St. George's Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
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