Israel marked Yom HaAtzmaut, its 63rd Independence Day on May 9 and the holiday of Lag B’Omer begins at sunset on Saturday, May 21. To mark them both, the Jewish Community of Louisville invites the community to participate in IsraelFest2011 that includes a bonfire and a special concert with the Israeli band Ha-Tzimoret.
The festivities begin with a traditional Lag B’Omer bonfire on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The evening’s activities will also include a havdalah service, smores, games and activities and campfire music and singing.
On Sunday, Chabad of Kentucky and the Louisville Jewish Day School invite the community to participate in a Lag B’Omer parade at 10 a.m. The parade will start at at the Day School and travel to the JCC Pavilion.
At 10:30 a.m., the JCL IsraelFest program will begin with a moment of silence to honor the Israeli soldiers fighting to defend the country. Then the fun begins.
Younger children are invited to participate in a PJ Library Story Walk. To allow the children to participate in smaller groups, there will be three start times for this program – 10:45, 11 and 11:15. Families are encouraged to take this walk together and hear this special story.
Older children will have the opportunity to tackle an Israeli Defense Forces Challenge course set up on the JCC campus.
IsraelFest would not be complete without live Israeli music. At 11:30, Ha-Tzimoret, an Israeli band based in Lexington, KY, will take the stage with their high-energy, family friendly songs.
Children are also invited to participate in a Passport for Israel Scavenger Hunt that will be run by volunteers from National Council of Jewish Women. There will also be arts and crafts projects.
Israeli food will be available for purchase.
Dafna Schurr is helping with the program and Keren Benabou, Eli Gueta and Edit Heller are helping with the food.
For more information, contact JCL Teen Director David Siskin, 238-2701 or dsiskin@jewishlouisville.org.