By Sean Shapiro
Special to the TJP

Members of the North Texas Jewish community will have their hearts and minds with Israel this week as Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut are celebrated in the greater Dallas and Fort Worth area.
Observance of Yom HaZikaron starts on the evening of April 30 and lasts until the evening of May 1. The Israeli Memorial Day was established in memory of those soldiers that lost their lives in the struggle for Israel’s establishment, while it also honors those who have lost their lives while serving in the Israeli Defense Force.
Because of its proximity to Yom HaAtzmaut, sometimes the holidays are celebrated as one in the United States. However, the Jewish communities in Dallas and Fort Worth have set up individual events for Yom HaZikaron.
Congregation Ahavath Sholom in Fort Worth (at 4050 South Hulen St.) will hold a service at 11:45 a.m. Sunday.
According to a press release, children from all over Tarrant County will help lead a service that will commemorate and honor the fallen soldiers of Israel and victims of terror.
This program is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth & Tarrant County with financial support from the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation.
Cafe Israel and The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas are hosting an event at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at Congregation Anshai Torah (5501 West Parker Road, Plano).
The evening will be dedicated to sharing stories of the fallen and will honor those who gave their lives defending Israel through various readings. This year’s ceremony is focused on the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War.
The program will be held in both Hebrew and English.
Yom HaAtzmaut is Israel’s Independence Day and commemorates the May 14, 1948, establishment of the Jewish state.
Yom HaAtzmaut officially falls on May 1 and 2 this year, but will be celebrated on May 7 by local organizations in Dallas and Fort Worth.
In Fort Worth, Congregation Ahavath Sholom will hold an event starting at 11:45 a.m. with the theme “50 Years of Jerusalem.”
Guests can enjoy a free Israeli lunch and an entertaining show featuring musical guest, Noam Agami.
There will also be opportunities to take pictures at the Kotel and other important Israeli locations. An art exhibit will feature Israel- and Jerusalem-themed art from local artists and community religious schools.
In Dallas there will be an event from noon to 4 p.m. at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center. It’s a communitywide event funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas.
There will be family-friendly activities, another concert by Noam Agami (at 3:15 p.m.), and activities led by Israelis from Zman HaGalil.
Zman HaGalil is a small business consortium (similar to a chamber of commerce) for more than 35 entrepreneurs across Western Galilee, Dallas’ Partnership Region. The May 7 activities will include leather stamping, a chocolate-making workshop and wine tasting.