Israel’s 70th birthday celebrated at JCC
By DEAN M. SHAPIRO, Special to the CCJN
Despite rumors of a protest demonstration by an anti-Israel fringe group outside the Jewish Community Center on St. Charles Avenue, this past Sunday’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday at the JCC went on unimpeded.
Despite the threats of rain and anti-Israel protest, Jewish community members danced the hora at the JCC on Sunday. (Photo by Dean Shapiro)
The fringe group, which advocates boycotting Israeli businesses and products and which urges those that do to disinvest in them, was reportedly planning to picket the event. However, none of their members – which reportedly includes a number of Jewish Palestinian sympathizers – showed up. Two uniformed New Orleans Police Department officers were standing by, posted at the building’s front entrance, to ensure that no incidents occurred and none did.
Inside the hall, the air was festive with speeches by JCC and Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans officials, plus live musical performances, Hora dancing, activities for the children, a photo booth and a vast array of Yemenite food prepared by a Jewish Yemenite chef now living in Israel.
Brief welcoming speeches were given by JCC president Peter Sperling, Federation chairman of the Board of Trustees Henry Miller, Federation board member and Partnership Together Committee chair Michele Gelman and Rosh Ha’Ayin Partnership chair Hadar Shapiro. Just as he had done at the Yom Hashoah Community-Wide Memorial a week before, Temple Sinai Cantor Joel Colman sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” while young Israeli singer Maya Rose sang “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem.
Maya Rose sings “Hatikvah” with Cantor Joel Colman, who led the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” (Photo by Dean Shapiro)
Accompanied by a three-piece band from Rosh Ha’Ayin – New Orleans’ Israeli “sister city,” Rose sang rock songs in Hebrew, plus local favorites in English like “What a Wonderful World” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
The free event attracted about 150-200 people during its four-hour duration.
Outside in the hallway, representatives for Israel Bonds handed out investment packages and other informational materials. Jennette Ginsburg, a program specialist for PJ Library, administered by the Jewish Children’s Regional Service, staffed a table covered with short children’s books featuring Jewish bedtime stories and songs.
“We are celebrating Israel’s big birthday N’Awlins style,” Sperling said in his opening remarks, which were greeted by enthusiastic applause. “So today we thank you, Israel, for making our world a better place. We are so happy to share this day with our extended family in Israel,” he added, as he introduced Miller to the podium.
In his brief remarks, Miller thanked the organizers of the event and the audience for attending the function. Prior to introducing Gelman, he praised her for “her dedication to Israel, the Federation and the local Jewish community. Michele has re-energized our Israel overseas programs,” he added.
The JCC exterior sign signaling the 70th birthday celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut. (Photo by Dean Shapiro)
Briefly describing the background of the organization she chairs, Gelman said, “The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership Together platform has connected us directly with Israeli communities since 1994. The program spans more than 500 communities around the world, building living bridges and relationships.”
Speaking about Rosh Ha’Ayin, Gelman explained that it was founded in 1949 on the site of a former British Army base located about 15 miles from Tel Aviv. “The city boasts a large Jewish Yemenite community, hence the theme of today’s celebration,” she noted, praising the chef and his staff “for all their hard work and dedication.”
The next and final speaker, Hadar Shapiro, said, “I am very excited to be here today and celebrate Israel’s 70th Independence Day. Our partnership has been active for the past ten years and it is a platform from which to create connections and show people both sides of the ocean.” She then introduced the visiting members of the Rosh Ha’Ayin delegation.
Although Israel’s official Independence Day is May 14 on the Gregorian Calendar, Yom Ha’atzmaut more correctly corresponds to the much older Hebrew Calendar. Israel’s re-emergence as an independent nation took place on May 14, 1948, which is the 5th of Iyar, 5708 on the Hebrew Calendar. Celebrations are held on both dates in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world.
