Da
of Ann Arbor
shows his love
of Israel at
the Celebrate
Israel event.
rating
Years
Ann Arbor community shows its
solidarity with Israel.
Staff photos by Armando Rios
Gilla Henya-Wiesel
Special to the Jewish News
Ann Arbor
T
Left: Eli Burstein, 5, of Ann Arbor rides a tractor representing Moshav Nahalal,
Ann Arbor's Partnership 2000 city. In the background is a mural dedicated to
Israel's 60th birthday.
Right: Liana Dunitz, 8, of Ann Arbor creates a birthday card dedicated to Israel.
Left: Jonah Klein, 2, of Ann Arbor poses on the tractor.
Right: Third-grade teacher Beverly Warshai of Ann Arbor leads the choir from Hillel
Day School of Ann Arbor.
he Greater Ann Arbor Jewish community gathered for a grand celebration of Israel's 60th
birthday on May 4. More than 600 celebrants participated in the fourth annual Celebrate
Israel Yom HaAtzmaut festival held at the Ann Arbor Jewish Community Center on a
magnificent, Israel-blue-sky day.
The Israel Independence Day (May 10/5 Iyar) festival opening included a moving, Israel-style
torch lighting with flames lit to commemorate Israel's founders, aliyah, peace, youth, culture and
technological advancements. The afternoon ended with an equally special closing ceremony featur-
ing a communitywide children's choir singing Gil Ladin's arrangement of"Sim Shalom."
More than 17 organizations, under the leadership of Celebrate Israel chairs Leila Covrigaru and
Bulky and Neal Elyakin, offered a wide range of programming including Walk the Land, an inter-
active simulated tour of Israel guided by Hebrew Day School fifth-graders, a Middle Eastern lounge
(Pinat Zula) with belly-dancing and drumming, Israeli wine tasting, pita making and a variety of
Israel-themed activities for children of all ages.
Yair Hammer and Dorit Mekler, two members of Moshav Nahalal, Ann Arbor's Partnership
2000 sister community, joined the celebration and created a special Nahalal exhibit with interactive
children's activities and samples of olive oil, honey and cosmetics produced by members of Nahalal.
A tractor, cow and pioneer dress were available for photo opportunities. The theme of the exhibit
was "Nahalal, Ann Arbor's Home in Israel." Many people planning a trip to Israel connected with
Yair and Dorit to arrange a visit to Nahalal.
Participants were entertained by performers including University of Michigan's premier Klezmer
group, Groove Spoon; Chaverim B'Shirim Choir, singing songs of Naomi Shemer; and percussionist
Aaron Kaufman, who performed a percussive, hiphop tour of cities in Israel. Other local entertain-
ment included singer Ricardo Seir and dancers Shira Elyakin and Kendall Gazaui. Israeli dancing
led by Laura and Amnon Steiner and Marjorie Rhodes wrapped up the entertainment schedule.
No festival is complete without food, and participants raved about the kosher Israeli fare offered
by Chef Cari of Oak Park Delicious bourekas, (filled puff-pastry pockets), melawach (fried phyllo
dough pancakes) and fruit smoothies complemented equally satisfying falafel and shwarma.
Participants entering the JCC were astounded by the transformation of the hallways into a
Middle Eastern shuk (marketplace) with a range of Israeli and locally produced books, jewelry
and crafts.
As in previous years, Celebrate Israel attracted about 10 to 15 protesters who claimed to be pro-
testing the "celebration of genocide'.' A combination of excellent security, well-placed murals and
JCC vans, and the assistance of the Ann Arbor Police Department kept the demonstration from
negatively effecting the enjoyment of those inside.
For more information about Ann Arbor's Celebrate Israel programming, visit
www.jewishannarbor.org/celebrateisrael. ❑
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