Westchester Jewish Community Celebrates Israel’s 70th Birthday

On Sunday, April 15th, 3,200 people of all ages came out for a spectacular countywide celebration in honor of Israel’s 70th birthday. This was the largest event in the Westchester Jewish community in recent history. The event was held at Schechter Westchester Upper School in Hartsdale. Lead funding for the event came from UJA-Federation of New York and the event was organized by the Westchester Jewish Council.

The celebration began with a grand opening ceremony which featured remarks from Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York, followed by greetings from Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congressman Eliot Engel, and Westchester community Shlicha (emissary), Oshra Rosenberg. Interspersed between speakers were musical performances by the FIDF Musical Ensemble.

Entertainment continued throughout the day in the “Machane Yehuda” shuk (reminiscent of the traditional Israeli open air marketplace) with musical performances by the Westchester Day School Choir, the Westchester Torah Academy Choir, Westchester Klezmer Band, Schechter Westchester Choir and high school band, Rami Stosberg and Friends band and Kol Hazzanim, the Cantors of Westchester. Snack stalls by Marzipan Bakery, G.I.T usa, importer of gourmet kosher foods, and Ben & Jerry’s had a steady stream of customers, and children were delighted by the opportunity for face painting, spray tattoos, and “Midrash Manicures” (Israel themed nail decals and nail polish designs). An exhibition of Israeli products and Judaica for sale, and informational tables by organizations provided a vibrant space for attendees to shop and learn.

The day’s activities paid tribute to the great achievements of the Jewish homeland and included appearances by a number of special guests including celebrity Israeli chef Gil Hovav, and Miss Israel 2013, Yityish Titi Aynaw. Concurrent programs ran throughout the day including a musical performance of the children’s book, “Ella’s Trip to Israel” by MusicTalks, cooking demonstrations of traditional Israeli delicacies including hummus and shakshukah, a Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense) session, an interactive Israeli Air Force Drone Pilot workshop, and a photo exhibit showcasing the moving work of photographers documenting the diversity in Israel today, presented by UJA-Federation of New York, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

There were also a number of ongoing activities including a virtual hike through Israel on “Shvil Yisrael,” a communal art project, “My Tie,” a collaborative art project using ribbons to express personal feelings about Israel, and an opportunity for children to “Experience Israel through the Five Senses.” Traditional Israeli foods including falafel, shawarma, Israeli salad, as well as other kosher fare including sushi, hot dogs and hamburgers kept attendees well fed.

“Sunday was truly a day for the Westchester community to celebrate Israel, to acknowledge the incredible progress that has been made in 70 short years, to recognize the magnitude and significance of her global contributions, and to celebrate the bonds that unite us. It was an opportunity for the Jewish organizations that make up the Westchester Jewish Council to work together to create an opportunity for the community to come together to share its love of Israel”, said Lisa Roberts, President, Westchester Jewish Council.

The leadership of a number of sponsor organizations spoke to attendees during various breakout sessions, including Shahar Azani, Executive Director, StandWithUs, (Northeast Region), an international non-profit Israel education organization, which is dedicated to supporting Israel around the world; Sivan Ya’ari, Founder and CEO of Innovation: Africa, an organization that has changed the lives of 1 million Africans by bringing Israeli technology to their villages; Evan Bernstein, New York Regional Director at Anti-Defamation League, which is dedicated to stopping the defamation of the Jewish people, and securing justice and fair treatment to all; and a multi-faith panel discussion moderated by AJC Westchester/Fairfield, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization.

“We are proud that we were able to accomplish our goal of showing off Israel in an authentic way and giving attendees a taste of all Israel has achieved over the past 70 years.”, said Oshra Rosenberg, Westchester Community Shlicha. “I was especially pleased that American and Israeli Jews came together for the planning, creation and execution of this day. It was truly a collaborative effort,” commented Rosenberg.

The lead sponsor of the day was UJA-Federation of New York. Sponsoring partners included AJC Westchester/Fairfield, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), Jewish National Fund (JNF), Lisa and Michael Leffell Family Foundation, StandWithUs, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Beth El Day Camp & Nursery School, Israel Bonds, Hadassah Westchester, AIPAC and Tel Aviv Foundation. In addition, over 100 individuals and families supported the event. Photos, videos, event program and supporters can be viewed at www.wjcouncil.org

The Westchester Jewish Council is comprised of 160 Jewish organizations, synagogues, and schools and represents Westchester County’s 150,000 Jewish residents, a county that ranks 8th in Jewish population in the U.S. The Westchester Jewish Council connects these Jewish communities and strengthens relationships among Jewish organizations and other ethnic and faith based groups, elected officials, Israel and the community at large. For more information, visit www.wjcouncil.org