Sunday April 28, 12:30–5 pm
The 2013 Israel Festival at the Simon Family JCC welcomes people from every background and religion to an afternoon of celebration.
The Israel Festival aims to reach beyond the Jewish community to those who are looking for a taste of Israeli culture. This celebration of Israeli Independence Day (Yom Ha’Atzmaut) will include traditional Israeli cuisine, unique shopping, arts and crafts and much, much more. Admission is free, with food and some activities requiring ticket purchase.
“The Israel Festival is a wonderful way to celebrate Israel right here in Hampton Roads,” says Gloria Siegel, vice president, cultural arts for the JCC. “Where else can you ride a camel outside of Israel? Plus, there’s so much we have to showcase here at the JCC.”
At the festival, expect to see, taste and experience Israeli culture by partaking in an afternoon of Israeli activities.
New this year is a visual representation of Israel’s gifts to the world called Walk the Land 65, a collection of educational murals, which will be spaced throughout the campus. On the main stage, the Israeli rock band, The Shuk, will perform two sets. Israeli dancing performances will also take place on the main stage. There will be plenty of family fun such as inflatables, amusement rides, face painting, and even real camel rides (weather-permitting). All ages will enjoy authentic Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as frozen delectables.
Never been to the Western Wall? There will be an opportunity to have personal letters delivered to Jerusalem. A wall will be constructed at the JCC, and the letters from this community will be delivered to the real Western Wall by students traveling on a Birthright Israel trip this summer.
Israeli artists and vendors will demonstrate their crafts and have merchandise available for sale at the JCC Ben Yehuda Street marketplace.
Experience Israel, see family and friends, and share in Israel’s 65th birthday. Check the JCC website for a full schedule of events at www.simonfamilyj.org.
by Leslie Shroyer