When Is Yom HaZikaron 2027?
Yom HaZikaron 2027 starts at sunset on Monday, May 10, and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, May 11. The main daytime observance falls on Tuesday, May 11, corresponding to 4 Iyar 5787 on the Hebrew calendar. Jewish observances begin in the evening, which is why the date is often listed across two Gregorian calendar dates.
For calendar planning, remember that Yom HaZikaron is followed immediately by Yom HaAtzmaut. Independence Day begins at sunset on Tuesday, May 11, and its main daytime observance is Wednesday, May 12, 2027. The dates are listed by the [Hebcal Jewish calendar](https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/yom-hazikaron-2027) and the [Israeli government’s holiday information service](https://data.gov.il/he/datasets/ministry_of_tourism/holidaysinisrael/38a82e1f-2800-452f-bf70-20c1f4439924).
What Is Yom HaZikaron?
Yom HaZikaron (יום הזיכרון) translates from Hebrew as “Day of Remembrance.” Its full official name refers to the memorial day for fallen soldiers of Israel’s wars and victims of hostile or terrorist acts. It is a national day of mourning and remembrance, with ceremonies held across Israel in military cemeteries, schools, public spaces, and other community settings.
The day honors people who lost their lives while serving in Israel’s wars and security forces, as well as civilians killed in acts of terrorism. The National Library of Israel explains that the observance commemorates those who fell in Israel’s battles and people who died in hostile actions, and that it is deliberately placed before Independence Day.
Why Is Yom HaZikaron Important?
Yom HaZikaron gives the country a shared time to remember those whose deaths are connected to Israel’s defense and national history. For many families, the day is personal as well as national, involving memories of relatives, friends, and community members who were killed.
Its position immediately before Independence Day is intentional. The transition from mourning to celebration reflects the relationship, in Israel’s public memory, between the sacrifices of the fallen and the establishment and continued existence of the state. The [National Library of Israel’s guide to Israeli Memorial Day](https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/judaism/holidays/yom-hazikaron) provides further historical context.
Yom HaZikaron 2027: Quick Facts
| Event | Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) |
| Begins | Sundown, Monday, May 10, 2027 |
| Main observance day | Tuesday, May 11, 2027 |
| Hebrew date | 4 Iyar 5787 |
| Ends | Nightfall, Tuesday, May 11, 2027 |
| Next observance | Yom HaAtzmaut begins at sundown May 11; main day is Wednesday, May 12, 2027 |
| Purpose | To remember fallen soldiers and security personnel and victims of terrorism |
Also see: Complete List of Jewish Holidays in 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Yom HaZikaron 2027?
Yom HaZikaron begins at sundown on Monday, May 10, and the main day of observance is Tuesday, May 11, 2027. It ends at nightfall on May 11.
What does Yom HaZikaron mean?
Yom HaZikaron means “Day of Remembrance” in Hebrew. It is Israel’s national memorial day for fallen soldiers and members of the security forces and victims of terrorism.
Why does Yom HaZikaron begin the evening before?
Jewish calendar days begin at sunset. Therefore, the observance starts on the evening of Monday, May 10, and continues through Tuesday, May 11, 2027.
Is Yom HaZikaron the same as Yom HaShoah?
No. Yom HaZikaron commemorates fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terrorism. Yom HaShoah is Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, which honors the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. In 2027, Yom HaShoah begins at sundown on May 3 and its main day is May 4.
Important Resources
Israeli Government – Holidays in Israel — Official background on the observance, sirens, ceremonies, and customs.
National Library of Israel – Israeli Memorial Day — Historical background and the meaning of the day.
Israel Defense Forces – What Is Yom HaZikaron? — Explanation of the sirens and national observances.
Hebcal – Yom HaZikaron 2027 — Calendar dates and Hebrew date for 2027.
Time and Date – Yom HaZikaron in 2027 — Gregorian date reference for the observance.