National Rebirth Month
The Ministry of Education is marking National Rebirth and Heroism Month under the theme of unity, remembrance, and hope. The month begins tomorrow (Monday), April 21, and will conclude on Unity Day, May 28. Schools and kindergartens across the country will host ceremonies, classes, and activities commemorating the country’s official memorial days—Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, Israel’s 77th Independence Day, Jerusalem Day, and Unity Day.
This year, for the first time, the story of Eli Cohen will also be included in the month’s events. Cohen was born 100 years ago and executed 60 years ago.
Eli Cohen Memorial Day falls on 16 Iyar, May 14
Eli Cohen was sent to Syria in the 1960s. During his mission, he infiltrated the upper ranks of the Syrian government and succeeded in collecting critical intelligence that significantly strengthened Israel’s security. Known as “Our Man in Damascus,” he is widely considered one of the most legendary spies in Israel’s history.
About four months after his capture, on May 18, 1965 (16 Iyar 5725), at 2:00 a.m., a small military convoy made its way through the streets of Damascus. After a brief journey, it arrived at the city’s central police station. There, officers, judges who had sentenced Cohen to death, journalists, and photographers gathered to document the final moments of the Israeli spy.
Rabbi Nissim Nadoff HaCohen, the chief rabbi of Damascus, stood by Cohen’s side. Together they recited Tziduk HaDin, the Shema Yisrael, and the traditional confession prayer (Viduy).
Cohen was then led to Marjeh Square, where Syria’s chief executioner, Abu Suleiman, awaited. At 3:30 a.m., he was hanged. His body was left suspended in the public square for six hours. A white sheet was draped over his body, bearing the charges against him. This year, Eli Cohen Memorial Day will be marked on 16 Iyar, May 14, with educational activities in schools across Israel. Students will learn about his extraordinary contribution to the security of the state.
Not Only the Past — Also the Future
Minister of Education Yoav Kisch emphasized: “This is a month of remembrance—but also of looking ahead. By learning about figures like Eli Cohen and about stories from the difficult year we’ve experienced, we give the younger generation a foundation of meaning—not to fall into grief, but to build something strong and new from it.”
National Rebirth Month
As part of the month’s activities, the official national youth delegation will travel to Poland to take part in the March of the Living, marking 80 years since the liberation of the Nazi extermination camps. Schools will also take part in initiatives like “Name and Candle,” commemorating Holocaust victims, and “In Their Path”—guided tours following the lives of Israel’s fallen soldiers, including those who fell in the Iron Swords War.
The Ministry of Education’s Director-General Meir Shimoni stated: “Education for values and resilience is not just an addition to the curriculum—it’s a central pillar. This is value-driven leadership, expressed every single day.”
