Israel @ 70: A Community Celebration

In previous years, the Jewish Community Center has celebrated Israel Independence Day with musical acts, guest speakers, children’s entertainment, and delicious food for purchase. In honor of Israel’s 70th birthday, we are turning up the volume and planning a Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration like no other. Join us on Sunday, April 15, 4–6pm for an afternoon of music, food and FUN! An array of activities will be available for ALL ages:

+ Dancing to Israeli pop music with DJ mark Gordon
+ A Special Performance from the Dayton Jewish Chorale
+ Community mosaic project
+ Authentic Israeli cuisine
+ Children’s activities
+ Traditional Israeli singing & dancing

We will be joined by Israeli chef Morris Zrihen, owner and chef of The Breakfast Club (located in Moshav Shavei Zion in Israel’s north), and his kitchen director and pastry chef, Hadas Hay. Chef Morris and Chef Hadas, who come to us through Partnership2Gether, will whip up authentic Israeli cuisine. Chef Morris was most recently in Dayton in 2015 for the Jewish Community Center’s inaugural Women’s Seder.

This year’s unique celebration will also include a photo exhibition featuring works from renowned photographer Shimon Rudolph “Rudi” Weissenstein. Born in 1910 in Czechoslovakia, Rudi arrived in 1936 at Jaffa Port with a press photographer’s certificate and a set of cameras. Shortly after, Rudi relocated to Tel Aviv where he met his future wife, Miriam. As a true partner, Miriam assisted Rudi in his photography businesses, acted as a private chauffeur on occasion and was Rudi’s close assistant for 55 years. Since Rudi’s passing in 1992, Miriam has continued working with and expanding the photography archive. Her grandson, Ben Peter, recently joined her and has been entrusted with the task of preserving the rare negatives and digitizing all the visual and textual information gathered in that archive.

The exhibition includes a variety of photos which capture the rich history of Israel and the Jewish people. The pictures will also be displayed at area synagogues and organizations throughout the spring. After the exhibition, the photos will be available for purchase.

The JCC will also present a slideshow throughout the event featuring photos from community members’ trips to Israel. If you would like to submit pictures for the slideshow, please contact Jodi Phares at (937) 610-1555 or jphares@jfgd.net.

We hope you will join us for this very special celebration. This program is presented in association with Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Chabad of Greater Dayton, Hadassah, Hillel Academy, Jewish War Veterans, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel. Don’t miss this exciting celebration!

If you would like to attend the JCC’s Israel @ 70 event , please contact Karen Steiger at (937) 610-1555 or purchase tickets online.