Israel’s Independence Day kicked off in the Bay Area on May 11, with more than 1,000 people gathering at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco to celebrate 68 years of the Jewish state. Centerpiece of the evening was the public reading of Israel’s declaration of independence (pictured left), part of a new ritual brought this year from Israel to North America. Pop-reggae star Matisyahu rounded out the evening.
On May 12, five San Francisco synagogues came together at Congregation Ner Tamid to celebrate with song and tributes. After a festive Israeli dinner, Rabbi Moshe Levin toasted Israel (on left holding cup), and honored San Mateo couple Len and Libby Traubman for their 25 years promoting Jewish-Palestinian dialogue. Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, deputy chief of staff of the IDF, was also honored (in absentia) for his courage in speaking out on behalf of refugees and immigrants. The evening’s highlight was Israeli singer Noa Levy tracing the country’s history through song (Levy taking a selfie at Ner Tamid, below left).
Also on May 12, some 4,000 people turned out at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto (on left) for a day filled with music, games and general festivities, including creating a community mural (bottom left), followed by an adults-only party when the sun went down.
