Day to Praise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Day to Praiseיום הלל
|
|
|---|---|
Logo of the Day to Praise Global initiative
|
|
Dancing at the central Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
|
|
| Genre | Religious worship |
| Frequency | Annually on 5 Iyar |
| Location(s) | Israel and international satellite locations |
| Inaugurated | 23 April 2015 |
| Founders | Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, David Nekrutman |
| Most recent | 1 May 2025 |
| Previous event | 14 May 2024 |
| Next event | 22 April 2026 |
| Activity | Reciting of Hallel (Psalms 113–118) in synagogues, church groups or by individuals to celebrate the State of Israel on Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) |
| Sponsor |
|
Day to Praise (Hebrew: יום הלל, romanized: yom hallel) is a special worldwide event. It brings together people from different faiths, especially Christians and Jews. They gather to praise God and celebrate the State of Israel on its Independence Day, called Yom Ha'atzmaut.
This event was started by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and David Nekrutman. During Day to Praise, people recite Hallel, which are specific Psalms (songs or prayers) from the Bible (Psalms 113–118).
Contents
About Hallel
Hallel is a collection of six Psalms (113–118). These Psalms are recited together on happy occasions.
Some of these happy times include:
- The three main Jewish festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
- Other holidays like Hanukkah.
- The beginning of each new Jewish month, called Rosh Chodesh.
Two years after Israel became a country in 1948, Jewish leaders decided something important. They said that Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) should be a minor Jewish holiday. On this day, Hallel should be recited. In 1973, Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren added a special blessing to the Hallel recitation.
History of Day to Praise
How the Idea Started
In October 2014, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin had an idea. He is the founder of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC). He invited Christian visitors to Israel to join a "praise rally" with Jewish leaders. This event happened during the holiday of Sukkot. They recited Hallel together. This gathering helped inspire the idea for the global Day to Praise event.
The First Event in 2015
The Day to Praise initiative officially began in March 2015. Rabbi Riskin sent an email to supporters of Israel around the world. He explained his vision for Christians worldwide to join Jewish people in reciting Psalms 113–118 on Israel's Independence Day. He felt this would fulfill a Bible verse from Psalm 117, which calls on all nations to praise God.
For the event, Day to Praise also created songs inspired by the Hallel Psalms. Some money from these songs helped support "Heart to Heart," a program for blood donation in Israel.
The idea of Jews and Christians praying together caused some discussion. Rabbi Shlomo Amar, a former chief Rabbi of Israel, expressed his concern. However, Rabbi Riskin defended his actions. He said it was right for Christians to thank God for His actions toward the Jewish people and Israel. Later that year, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki also supported Rabbi Riskin's view. He wrote that even if something feels new or uncomfortable, it doesn't mean it's wrong.
The first annual Day to Praise took place on April 23, 2015. The main event was held at HaZvi Israel Synagogue in Jerusalem. Many thousands of people around the world reportedly joined in their own groups.
Later in 2015, during the Sukkot festival, CJCUC hosted another interfaith event. About 200 Christians and Jews gathered in Efrat to sing praises to God. Rabbi Riskin believed such events could help bring about a time of peace and goodness.
Day to Praise in 2016
The second annual Day to Praise happened on May 12, 2016. The main event was held in Gush Etzion, an area that had experienced many difficult events. About 120 representatives from Jewish and Christian faiths attended. These groups came from Israel, the United States, Germany, and Brazil. International interfaith groups like "Bridges for Peace" also participated.
During the event, each person read Psalm 117 in their own language. Then, they all read it together in Hebrew. Co-founder David Nekrutman said this gathering fulfilled a Bible prophecy from Zephaniah. This prophecy speaks of people speaking a "pure language" to serve God together.
-
Bishop Armando Cruzem and his congregation at their local Day to Praise event in the Philippines, 12 May 2016
-
Bishop Armando Cruzem and his wife Joy at their local Day to Praise event in the Philippines, 12 May 2016
-
The "Bridges for Peace" branch in Melbourne, Florida at their local Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
-
Rabbi Alan Yuter speaking at the central Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
-
The Portnoy Brothers at the central Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
Day to Praise in 2017
The third annual Day to Praise took place on May 2, 2017. The main event was held in Jerusalem. As in previous years, Jewish and Christian attendees celebrated by reciting Psalms 113–118. Hundreds more people around the world reportedly joined in. David Nekrutman, a co-founder, said a main idea for this year was "walking together" within the Psalms. This event also marked 50 years since Jerusalem was reunified. A week before, a Hallel service was held in Germany by 125 Christians. A few days later, a synagogue in Youngstown, Ohio invited Christians to join their Hallel service.
Day to Praise in 2018
The fourth annual Day to Praise was held on April 19, 2018. The main event started on the evening of April 18. It began with a Memorial Day ceremony for Israel's fallen soldiers. Jews and Christians came together. The event moved from sadness over Israel's losses to great joy for Israel's 70th anniversary. This main event was held at the John Hagee Center for Jewish Heritage at the Netanya Academic College. About 350 Jews and Christians attended. As always, attendees recited the Psalms of Praise. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, from CJCUC, said that Christians praising God and praying for Israel is a key part of Bible prophecies about Israel's future redemption.
See also
In Spanish: Un Día de Alabanza para niños
