Hundreds celebrated the 69th anniversary of the State of Israel — and the opening The J’s outdoor pool for the summer season — on Sunday, May 28. The J Family Festival & Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration waived guest pass fees to the pools, enabling families to choose between splashing about outdoors or going indoors where plenty of Israel-related activities awaited children and adults in the Patio Gallery and cafe. Among the activities were face painting, arts and crafts, folk dancing lessons, family story walks, Israeli-inspired food, a bouncy house and sidewalk chalk art. (photos by Shayne Brill)