Yom Ha’atzmaut around the Bay, 2017

The Federation is thrilled to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) with our Bay Area Jewish community. This May, Israel turns 69 and we are proudly supporting 20 outstanding events of every variety organized by our community partners in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma, including:

April 30

Everywhere: BimBam's new "What is Yom Ha'atzmaut?" video gives viewers a taste of how Israeli Independence Day started and is celebrated around the world, from the street parties and ceremonies in Israel, to festivals all around the world.

Santa Rosa: URJ Camp Newman's 7th Annual Family Fun Day with PJ Library. Bring your friends and family for a day of favorite camp activities plus Israel-themed fun and PJ Library books for Israel's Independence Day!

San Rafael: Osher Marin JCC’s Taking it to the Streets, Celebrate Israel! Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with snacks, music, crafts, and two very special art workshops that bring the spontaneity of Israeli street art into our JCC! From commemorative posters to public murals, art is a way to celebrate people and events, showing our pride and excitement in a tangible way.

San Francisco: Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration for Preschoolers and their Families. A Hebrew-language gathering featuring stories, songs, crafts projects, carnival-style games and Israeli food, with featuring storytellers Koren Zuckerman and Dikla Leon. Organized by the Jewish Community Library and Israeli House of the Consulate General of Israel.

May 1

San Francisco Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration. Join us to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with a program that showcases exciting new initiatives happening in Israel today and features a special performance by the Maccabeats, plus family activities and delicious kosher food. Organized by the Jewish National Fund, Congregation Emanu-El, and the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.

Burlingame: Peninsula Temple Sholom’s Beyond Politics, Celebrating Israeli Culture. Join us for your favorite Israeli foods, entertainment, and a discussion among friends about Israeli culture, science, art, education, food, entertainment and more.

Sunnyvale: South Peninsula Hebrew Day School’s Yom Ha'atzmaut K-8 Performance (for school families only). This year’s Yom Ha'atzmaut theme is the diversity of the people of Israel. Students will explore the rich diversity through fun, hands-on activities so they can gain a better appreciation and love for the State of Israel.

May 2

Foster City: Peninsula JCC’s Yom Ha’atzmaut Family Celebration. Happy Birthday, Israel! Join the PJCC for a special birthday party to celebrate Israel's 69th Birthday. Enjoy "Mitz Petel," a puppet show in Hebrew and English that celebrates friendship, Jewish identity, inclusion, and arts & culture. The event is free for everyone and will give families a taste of Israel through performance, art, and Israeli foods.

Palo Alto: Oshman Family JCC’s Israel @ 69 Yom Ha'atzmaut Community-Wide Celebration. Come to our Beach Carnival and enjoy Israeli music, food, family activities and a fair featuring innovative organizations. This year, we'll have more activities for kids and teens, a huge range of food options, arts & crafts, an amazing fashion show, and a talented lineup on our main stage.

San Francisco Hillel’s Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration. Share your story and explore the themes of home, land, origins, and independence. No matter if you're counting millennia or 69 years, come join our dialogue tent on campus.

Palo Alto: Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School’s Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration (for school families only). Join a joyful school-wide celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, with stations that are connected to parts of Israel (Tel Aviv beach, Israeli cinema, childhood Israeli games, “Kochav Nolad,” and the Maccabiah Games). There is freshly-made falafel for lunch, and the day ends with Israeli dancing and singing outdoors.

May 5

San Francisco: ISRAELIfest 69, Shabbat Dinner. A special Kabbalat Shabbat for young adults (21+) organized by WZO-DDA, Israeli House San Francisco, צעירים ישראלים בעמק הסיליקון, and Moishe House SF Dolores. With Israeli food, music, and more.

Santa Rosa: Congregation Shomrei Torah's Shabbat Service and Yom Ha'atzmaut. Enjoy Israeli dancing, art projects, Israeli-themed crafts, and a free Israeli dinner.

May 7

Santa Rosa: Congregation Beth Ami’s Sonoma County Israel Tribute Variety Show. Sonoma County is having a variety show of Israel-oriented skits, songs, and dance. They are bringing in two talented Israelis to share their love of the Jewish State: Noa Levy and Achi Ben Shalom.

San Francisco: Moishe House SF Dolores’ The Celebration! Come celebrate the innovation and creativity of Israel with Moishe House SF Dolores! Come look at the wonderful art of Israeli Yemenite jeweler, Yehuda Tassi, dance Israeli dance with an Israeli belly dance teacher, and eat Israeli food by Sababa. There will also be speakers and a showcase of Israeli products, stores, businesses, caterers, and Israeli startups in the Bay Area!

Palo Alto: Israeli Street Fair Party in Celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut! Come for a fun night full of Israeli food, Israeli dancing, and drinks at Stanford Hillel's outdoor patio! Presented by Moishe House Palo Alto in conjunction with WZO-DDA, ENGAJ and JHTC2.0.

San Francisco: Gan Israel Preschool's Yom Ha'atzmaut Garden Project. Join us as we commemorate Yom Ha'atzmaut and honor our communal outdoor sacred space. Together, we will build a welcoming entryway to mark our school yard as a unified Jewish community space where all are welcomed and valued.

Palo Alto: Palo Alto Moishe House’s Yom Ha’atzmaut Barbecue and Celebration! Celebrate 69 years of the Jewish State with Moishe House and ENGAJ! Come for a delicious barbecue, music, dance, lively conversation, and fun learning about Israel and its unique relationship to our home here in Silicon Valley.

May 8

San Francisco: Blue & White Monday. Join the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Federation for a young adult Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration! There will be Israeli hits and music provided by DJ Or Tregger, delicious Israeli food, henna tattoos, and a YAD + REBOOT photobooth with costumes and props. Proceeds will support the Federation's efforts to advance pluralism and a shared society in Israel.

May 14

San Francisco: North Beach Moishe House’s Lag B'Omer/Yom Haatzmaut Bonfire. Come celebrate Israel, nature, and the Bay Area with a bonfire, BBQ, archery and drums. We'll have Israeli snacks and songs for you to revel in, bringing you back to the holy land through all your senses.

May 17

San Francisco: Moishe House Valencia’s The Many Faces of Israel. Come celebrate the diversity of Israel through food and young adult stories! Come learn to make and eat the delicious foods of Israel’s Yemeni, Ethiopian, Russian, Bedouin, Arab, Sephardi communities and more.