APRIL 6 • 2023 | 35

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pring signals the coming of Israel’s 
75th anniversary. In addition to cel-
ebrations in Israel, the world will be 
celebrating across the diaspora, including right 
here in Metro Detroit. 
To keep track of the many planned cele-
brations through the rest of the year, espe-
cially this spring, the Jewish Federation of 
Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a web page on 
JLive to serve as a one-stop shop for organiza-
tions wanting to get the word out and individ-
uals wanting to get involved. 
Federation has started populating events on 
this page, including everything from individu-
al congregational events to some-
thing they always commemorate 
and promote, the “Yoms” — Yom 
HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and 
Yom Ha’
Atzmaut. 
The vision of the web page and 
these celebrations are supported 
by the idea of Federation being 
at the center of what’s going on in the com-
munity, said Yiftah Leket, Federation’s Senior 
Community Shaliach (emissary). 
“We are the community-wide institution, 
which means Israel@75 and the Yoms pro-
grams are complementary to one another in 
that we support the community programs, and 
at the same time, we want to hold this idea of 
being one big community doing something 
that feels together,
” Leket said. 
The togetherness also comes in the sense of 
outreach to different communities. 
“We’re not excluding anyone, we’re trying to 
partner with them, be the center and pull the 
community together,
” Leket said. “
And we’re 

really trying to be intentional with our pro-
gramming so people come out of it saying they 
learned something about Israel, they feel more 
connected to it, and they more understand it.
” 
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance 
Day) Community Commemoration takes 
place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at the 
Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington 
Hills. The ceremony will feature readings, 
music and a candle-lighting ceremony. No reg-
istration required.
The Yom HaZikaron Community 
Ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, 
April 24, at the Berman Center for the 
Performing Arts at The J in West Bloomfield. 
The free community-wide event will honor 
the legacy of Israelis who have fallen in com-
bat and acts of terrorism by focusing on the 
50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, a 
war that changed Israeli society forever. IDF 
soldiers will talk of their experiences with 
PTSD and ways that Israel is dealing with this 
growing issue. 
This evening will be led by our community’s 
Shinshiniot (young Israeli emissaries) and 
youth from the Detroit community and the 
Partnership2Gether region.
The Yom Ha’
Atzmaut Israel@75 
Community-Wide Celebration takes place at 
5 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.
This festive gathering to celebrate Israel’s 
75th Independence Day, held with other 
Jewish community partners, will include 
games for children, Israeli cuisine and a special 
live performance from Mayumana, the inter-
nationally acclaimed Israeli drumming and 

dance troupe. All ages are welcome. $10 per 
person; ages 5 and under free.
A few notable Israel@75 events are happen-
ing with The J-Detroit, including the Detroit 
Jewish Film Festival, showing multiple Israeli 
movies, and the Janice Charach Gallery at The 
J, holding a special exhibit of renowned Israeli 
artists debuting in Metro Detroit. 
The Israel@75 Art Exhibit Opening 
Reception takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 
16, at the Charach Gallery. The exhibit runs 
through May 10. Free and open to the public. 
“Between the dancing troupe, the art exhibit 
and the film festival, in a way, the cultural part 
of Israel is coming more into the front this 
year,
” Leket said. 
Helping bring the community together in 
celebrating Israel in advance of this special 
anniversary aligns with Federation’s core 
mission and commitment to Israel and the 
Israeli people, said Ted Cohen, 
Federation’s Chief Marketing 
Officer.
“This year as much as ever, it’s 
incredibly important for Jews in 
the diaspora to show their sup-
port for Israelis across the coun-
try, especially in our partnership 
region,
” Cohen said. “It’s central to what we’re 
all about.
”
Cohen says the point of the web page is to 
make it easy and accessible for people to see 
the range of activities, programs and events 
being offered, so people aren’t missing things 
because they don’t hear about them. 
“They’re seeing the full range of opportuni-
ties, and we’re just helping those organizations 
reach the whole community,
” Cohen said. “We 
really hope people are able to spend at least 
some time thinking about and connecting 
with Israel. It’s part of our identity as Jewish 
people.
”
The web page will be continuously updated 
with more events. Visit jlive.app/e/detroit/isra-
el75 to get involved and learn more. 

JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT

Ted Cohen

Yiftah 
Leket

Israel@75

A new website lists all upcoming events 
to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary. 

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

