Yom Ha’atzmaut around the Bay, 2016
The Federation is thrilled to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) with our Bay Area Jewish community. This May, Israel turns 68 and we are proudly supporting more than a dozen outstanding events of every variety organized by our community partners in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma, including:
April 27
San Francisco Hillel, San Francisco: Humans of Tel Aviv, celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut on the quad at San Francisco State University at an event for everybody. The Humans of Tel Aviv photography exhibit will portray the diversity of Israel through the experiences of its residents.
May 8
Jewish Community Library, San Francisco: Hebrew Storytelling Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration. The culminating event of this year's popular Hebrew Storytelling series at the Jewish Community Library will be a spirited celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut for young children and their families led by master storyteller Koren Zuckerman. The event will be entirely in Hebrew, with storytelling, puppetry, interactive activities, special guests, healthy snacks, and arts and crafts. Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel and World Zionist Organization.
May 9
Young Adult Division of the Federation, San Francisco: Blue and White Monday for Yom Ha'atzmaut. Proceeds will support the Federation's efforts to support Israel as a just, pluralistic, and shared society with equal opportunity for all its citizens.
May 11
San Francisco Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration, with a reading of the Megillat Ha'atzmaut (the Israeli Declaration of Independence) by community leaders and a special acoustic performance by world renowned musician Matisyahu. Organized by the Jewish National Fund and the Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest, in partnership with Congregation Emanu-El, the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, and the JCC of San Francisco. Registration is closed due to capacity.
May 12
Congregation Ner Tamid, San Francisco: Witnesses to a Miracle – a celebration for the whole community, featuring the testimony of seniors who were raised either before the State of Israel was born or during its earliest years, sharing recollections amidst music, photographs, and more. Also: Israeli dinner and performance by Israeli singer Noa Levy. Free but reservations required.
Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto: Yom Ha’atzmaut Street Party. The Israeli Cultural Connection at the Oshman Family JCC's 6th annual community-wide Israel Independence Day celebration will be held on the OFJCC campus. The festival will include music and dance, Israeli wine tasting, an Israeli fashion show, an Israeli café, exhibitions by the American Technion Society, and art projects for kids and adults. In addition, there will be live musical performances from local youth groups.
Peninsula JCC, Foster City: Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration. Join a community-wide Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration featuring a special guest artist presentation and an interactive family art activity. New York-based photographer Paul Margolis will present black and white slides of his recent work, Israel Impressions, and engage the audience with colorful tales about his travels, his art, and everyday life in Israel. In the lobby, families will enjoy contributing their creative efforts as everyone unites to make a large Israeli "peace flag."
Bernard Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael: A Fresh Look at Israel. For the week of Yom Ha'atzmaut, we will mount a special exhibit featuring posters educating the community about Israeli achievements and innovations and showcasing images of Israel – today and since the late 1940s. On Yom Ha'atzmaut, we will gather in the lobby for a special celebration with refreshments.
Hillel at Stanford, Palo Alto: Yom Ha’atzmaut Party, featuring a bounce house, live music, DJ, raffle, painting, Israeli food and cotton candy.
San Francisco Hillel, San Francisco: Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration. Israeli music with Lior Ben-Hur, Israeli BBQ, activities and fun for students.
May 13
Congregation Beth Ami, Santa Rosa: Yom Ha'atzmaaut Celebration. This event is free and open to all, with children and adult programs, featuring music from Melita Silberstein, games, and an Israeli wine and cheese reception. Israeli inspired dinner available by reservation.
May 15
Congregation Beth Sholom, San Francisco: A Community Celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut, featuring the music of Sol Tevel, Israeli music, dance, film, Israeli-style food, children's activities, discussion on the meaning of the holiday.
Yom Rishon School, Sunnyvale: Yom Ha'atzmaut Picnic, a joyful family celebration of the birthday of the State of Israel. Experience Israel through difference senses: eat Israeli food – hummus, pita, Israeli salad, and much more; listen to contemporary Israeli music; participate in an engaging and educational quest through different regions of Israel; and win Israeli prizes in our traditional lottery. A great opportunity to learn about the history, geography, and culture of Israel for the entire family.
May 16
Santa Cruz Hillel Foundation, Santa Cruz: Israel Palooza. Santa Cruz Hillel is planning a campus-wide celebration of Israel to share all that Israel has to offer with the entire campus. The highlight of the event will be a huge peace mural created with student input by the group Artists4Israel. There will also be falafel, information booths, and more.
May 28
Congregation B'nai Emunah, San Francisco: Shabbaton: A Full Day of Rest, Reflection & Connection in celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut. We are celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut with a full day of rest and reflection, including a local scholar in residence. The day will include: Shabbat morning service; Israeli-style lunch with z'mirot and l'chayims; reflective walk at Ocean Beach; mincha meditation; s'eudah shlishi with scholar and sushi; Israeli music sing-along ending with havdallah and Israeli dancing. Free and all are welcome.
