Lesson Plan

Analyzing Memorial Day Poster 2008

This is a colorful poster from 2008 in honor of Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers. The main section of the poster is a painting by Michael Elkayam. In the center of the painting is a pile of stones, possibly resembling a grave, topped with the flame of a memorial candle in a clay vessel. Behind the stones are white and blue ribbons which are reminiscent of the Israeli flag. Fighter planes emerge from the flame. In the background are the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall.

Analyze this Yom Hazikaron Poster for Fallen Soldiers. The main image in this poster is Michael Elkayam.

Group Activity

As Yom HaZikaron ends, Yom Ha'atzmaut begins.

  • What are the emotions of the two days?
  • How do you think it feels to go directly from one to the other?

There is an ongoing public debate about the fact that Yom HaZikaron is immediately before Yom Ha'atzmaut. People who have lost their loved ones are not always comfortable with this juxtaposition, while others think that the proximity of the two days conveys an important message.

Explain the different views. What is your opinion?

Discussion Questions

  • What images are on the poster?
  • Why do you think the artist chose these images?
  • What do they represent?
  • What overall message does the design convey?
  • What is the meaning of the biblical verse that appears on the poster?
  • What is the context of this verse: who said it and why?
  • Why is the verse appropriate for Yom HaZikaron?
  • How did you feel when you saw this poster?
  • Have you been to a memorial ceremony on Yom HaZikaron?
  • What did the ceremony include?
  • What did the ceremony make you feel?
  • What are the similarities and differences between Yom HaZikaron and your country's memorial day?
  • How do you explain the differences?

Creative Activity

As of 2001, Galei Tzahal, the IDF radio station, began a project entitled "Soon We Will Become a Song." This project pays tribute to fallen soldiers and victims of terror by turning their poems or letters into songs which are then recorded by famous musicians These songs are played widely on Yom HaZikaron.

  • Listen to some songs from this project.
  • Choose one song that is meaningful to you. Learn the song and create a video presentation to accompany it.

Draw a poster for this year's Yom HaZikaron.

  • Think about the images and symbols that you want to include in your poster.
  • Write a Yom HaZikaron poem that can be used at your school's ceremony.

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As Yom HaZikaron ends, Yom Ha'atzmaut begins.

  • What are the emotions of the two days?
  • How do you think it feels to go directly from one to the other?

There is an ongoing public debate about the fact that Yom HaZikaron is immediately before Yom Ha'atzmaut. People who have lost their loved ones are not always comfortable with this juxtaposition, while others think that the proximity of the two days conveys an important message.

Explain the different views. What is your opinion?

Analyzing Memorial Day Poster 2008

This is a colorful poster from 2008 in honor of Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers. The main section of the poster is a painting by Michael Elkayam. In the center of the painting is a pile of stones, possibly resembling a grave, topped with the flame of a memorial candle in a clay vessel. Behind the stones are white and blue ribbons which are reminiscent of the Israeli flag. Fighter planes emerge from the flame. In the background are the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall.

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