Israeli Independence Day Celebration Coming To Northeast Ohio

From The Jewish Federation of Cleveland: The Jewish Federation of Cleveland, in partnership with more than 50 local Jewish organizations and community businesses, will host Yom Ha’atzmaut, a festival celebrating art, music, and Israel’s 71st Independence Day. The annual, family-friendly event takes place on May 9 from 5:30 – 9:30 pm at Landerhaven (6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights). It is free and open to the community.

“Yom Ha’atzmaut is an opportunity to celebrate the vitality and diversity of the State of Israel and the role it plays in the lives of Jews everywhere,” said Tamar Poupko Smith, who is an Event Co-Chair alongside her husband Elliot of Beachwood and Connie and Neil Waxman of Pepper Pike. “This is one of the largest Jewish community-wide events, and we’re excited to offer attendees traditional Yom Ha’atzmaut favorites like Israeli music, as well as new activities like Israeli wine tasting.”

Children of all ages can enjoy sand art, puzzles, an inflatable obstacle course, and more. The whole family can eat delicious kosher foods for sale, ranging from traditional Israeli favorites like falafel, to American food like chicken strips and french fries. Guests can also meet Israel Defense Forces officers visiting from Israel, tour the Israeli marketplace (shuk) where vendors sell items like jewelry and Israeli candy, and sign up for Israeli wine tasting.

To celebrate Israel’s rich arts and culture scene, the event will feature non-stop entertainment performances throughout the evening by Funkadeli, a Cleveland-based klezmer band. New York-based Capaim will perform Israeli cover songs and mentalist Eran Biderman will round out the evening with mysterious and mind-baffling techniques.

For more information or to register, please visit www.jewishcleveland.org.