Akron Jewish Community to Host Israel Festival on May 5

On Sunday, May 5, the Greater Akron community is invited to explore everything Israeli at the Israel Festival honoring Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s 71st Independence Day. The festivities will celebrate Israel’s independence through fun games and activities, food and song, and is free for families and children of all ages.

 

“Connecting our community to Israel is a core value of the Schultz Campus for Jewish Life,” says Todd Polikoff, CEO of the Jewish Community Board of Akron. “It is a day to express solidarity with Israel and offers the chance to experience some of the diverse culinary, cultural and artistic gifts of Israel without having to leave Akron.”

 

The Israel Festival begins at 12:30 p.m. with songs by Jewish Akron’s clergy and a flag and dance performance by The Lippman School students to commemorate Yom HaZikaron, the Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers of Israel and victims of terrorism.

 

From 1 to 3 p.m., guests are welcome to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, with Israeli music, a community art project, bouncy house, photo magnet booth, face painting, complimentary snacks, Israeli learning stations, plus an Israeli meal available for $5 through Efrat’s Café & Catering.

 

“The commemoration and celebration are very meaningful days in Israel happening one after the next to symbolize a day of sorrow and remembrance and a day full of joy and hope,” says Mor Roffe, The Jewish Agency for Israel Shaliach (Emissary) for the Jewish Community Board of Akron. “We celebrate the state of Israel that we can finally have a place we can call home for the Jewish people, but we don’t forget the people who risk their lives for us to have this home.”

 

All activities will take place at the Schultz Campus for Jewish Life located at 750 White Pond Drive in Akron. For more information, call the Shaw JCC of Akron at 330-867-7850 or visit www.jewishakron.org.