TORONTO — Israelis abroad and the Jewish state itself have been lax in conveying to Diaspora Jews the cultural importance of Yom Hazikaron, says Israel’s consul general for Toronto and Western Canada, Amir Gissin.

He wants to change that.

Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, which commemorates those who have died in defence of the Jewish state and its victims of terror, “is probably the most important civic day on Israel’s calendar,” Gissin said. “To many Israelis, it’s as important as Yom Ha’atzmaut [Israeli Independence Day, which is celebrated the next day]. It holds a central place in the Israeli psyche. Every Israeli either comes from a bereaved family or knows someone who has fallen in one of the country’s wars,” he said.

Gissin’s family has lost six members to Israel’s wars.

Speaking to The CJN at his downtown office last week, Gissin said creating a cultural rapprochement on Yom Hazikaron – April 24 this year – between Canadian Jews and ex-pat Israelis in Canada was one of his last and most important projects. (Gissin’s term is up this summer, when he will return to Israel. He will be succeeded by D.J. Schneeweiss.)

He said there’s a gap between the perception of the importance of the holiday in Israel and the way it is perceived in the Toronto Jewish community. It’s a gap that needs to be closed, he said.

“The way to do this is to invest in an effort to bring the [Toronto] Jewish community to the Yom Hazikaron ceremonies” held around the city every year, he said.

As a result, he said this year, the consulate has helped move the major Yom Hazikaron ceremony to a larger venue that can hold up to 5,000 people. Beth Tzedec Congregation has agreed to host the ceremony, in conjunction with Holy Blossom Temple. In the week before the holiday, the consulate is launching a major advertising blitz targeting the entire Jewish community.

It’s the first time the consulate has endeavoured to bridge this gap. And Gissin said this may end up being the largest Yom Hazikaron event in Canada, and perhaps even outside of Israel.

He said this year’s ceremony will be altered slightly from previous versions, where mostly Israelis were in attendance. While it will retain its sombre mood, the consulate has booked some star power.

“It’s a very Israeli event by nature, almost Spartan. It’s low-key and very emotional. There won’t be fireworks, and those who’ve attended before know what to expect. But this year, we added some more English content,” Gissin said. “It will include poetry readings, messages from Israeli diplomats, and we will have three chazzanim from three different synagogues, Beth Tzedec, Holy Blossom and Beth David, singing. This is something that will bring people together.”

Guests include jazz vocalist Sophie Milman, who will sing Hatikvah, and former Canadian cabinet minister Stockwell Day, who is scheduled to read the prayer for peace in the State of Israel.

“So we are attempting to make this more appealing to the Jewish community while not changing the nature of the ceremony. Hopefully, non-Israelis will be able to connect with it personally and emotionally,” Gissin said.

He also said it’s important to realize that Israel isn’t trying to create the “same type of emotional commitment” to Yom Hazikaron that Israelis feel, as it’s obvious that many in the Diaspora have never experienced army life and the challenges that come with it.

But “everyone has lost a dear one in their life. That’s the connection. The [Diaspora] community knows how to come together as one for Yom Hashoah. Or when there is a terror attack in Israel, they get involved and care about Israel.

“But Yom Hazikaron happens every year, and it’s both personal and national. While you may not know individuals [who have died in Israel’s wars], you should be able to connect with Israel nationally on this subject. The country has developed a culture around Yom Hazikaron, which exists to enable the public to mourn together. Even if you don’t know someone who died, still you can feel a connection to the wholeness of Israelis who stand together in mourning because the people who died made the ultimate sacrifice so that Israel can continue to exist.”

Gissin said he believes it’s important for non-Israelis to attend the Yom Hazikaron ceremony because it provides a tool to connect with Israelis emotionally instead of only rationally.

“If you care about Israel, connect with what Israelis care about. And to all Israelis planning to attend, we say bring a non-Israeli friend.”