Israel's 60th: Made aliyah, ready to party

Many of the organisations dedicated to assisting and supporting new immigrants from English-speaking counties are putting the final touches on their arrangements to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary.

Telfed goes north

Telfed (the South African Zionist Federation) has organized a one-day tour to the Galilee on Tuesday 13th May in honor of Yom Haatzmaut. Buses will pick participants up from Ra'aana and the nearby Protea Village and the tour includes a special memorial ceremony for the South African who have fallen in Israel's wars and in terrorist attacks, to take place at the South African Memorial at the Golani Junction.

The memorial service will be followed by visits to the Marzipan Museum in Kfar Tavor and to Kibbutz Yizrael, where participants will enjoy a tour of the kibbutz's grounds and enjoy a bring-your-own picnic on the grass. The cost in NIS 60 per person and places can be reserved through: Sharon Bernstein (Telfed Offices) on tel: 09 744 6110 and Ruth Omsky (Netanya) on tel: 054 775 8393.

Telfed's Web site

ESRA's new picnic generation

The English-Speaking Residents' Association (ESRA) was founded in 1979 by a group of English-speaking residents of Herzliya and Kfar Shmaryahu and now includes additional branches in Ramat Hasharon, Raanana, Kfar Saba and Hod Hasharon.

ESRA's New Generation group (aimed at 25- to 45-year-olds) is planning an Erev Yom Ha'atzmaut picnic in Raanana Park. For details call Judy on 09-748 2957.

Esra's Web site

Falafel Tea Party

On Sunday, 11th May, the Netanya branch of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) will be celebrating Israel's 60th with a Falafel Tea Party. The program includes a photographic slide show, readings and memories from AACI Netanya members and friends, accompanied by falafel, Israel's national snack.

The movie 'The Forgotten Refugees' (2005), that explores the history and destruction of Middle Eastern Jewish communities and includes extensive testimony from former residents of Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Iraq, will be screened. The cost of the event is NIS 20 and tickets must be purchased in advance from the AACI box office, located in Beit Oleh America Netanya AACI , 28 Shmuel Hanatziv, Netanya, 42281, on tel: 09 833 0950 or fax: 09 862 9183

Yom Haatzmaut Prayers in Be'er Sheba

Beersheba's Rambam Synagogue invites all those interested to join Yom Ha'atzmaut services to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday with prayer and song in the Carlebach-style. Services start at 7:45 p.m., on Wednesday May 7th, and will be conducted in Hebrew. Rambam Synagogue is located behind the Rambam School, 4 Sha'ar Yeshuv St., Shechunah Hey, Beersheba. Rambam is an Orthodox synagogue where men and women sit separately. Respectful attire is required. For more information, contact Jeff Green at jamaralah@gmail.com.

Meeting Herzl

On Monday, May 19th at 19:00, Jerusalemites and tourists in Jerusalem are invited to take an imaginary journey back 100 years in time, to meet Theodor Herzl, the visionary Hungarian-born journalist and founder of Zionism. Sir Bernard Zisman will read from his book, Herzl's Journey: Conversations with a Zionist Legend. Zisman conducts throughout his book an imaginary dialogue with Herzl, covering the impact of anti-Semitism in France, travelling through Europe, and their arrival at a present-day destination where the author and Herzl discuss the plight of both Jewish and Palestinian refugees.

Sir Bernard Zissman was elected Lord Mayor of Birmingham, England in 1990 and knighted for public and political services in 1996. He is presently President of the Representative Council of Birmingham and Midlands Jewry. Sir Bernard serves on the governing body of the 150 year old historic Singers Hill Synagogue and is President of the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation.

The event costs NIS 10 for AACI members and NIS 15 for non-members. For more information and to register please call AACI Jerusalem on tel: 02 561 7151.

Singalong and party till dawn

On 7th May Mercaz HaMagshimim, the centre for younger olim and Jewish creativity, combining an absorption center, community center and activism center, is hosting a singalong of Israeli songs and a party, starting at 21:30 and continuing till the break of dawn. Revellers will be sustained by an open-air barbeque, and alcoholic and soft drinks. There is access for wheelchairs. All revenues from the party will go towards supporting the 'Tzur Israel' school in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem, which specializes in taking care of youth in danger.

The Mercaz's address is Rehov Dor Dor Ve'Dorshav 7 A, Jerusalem. Entry fees depend on personal choice: the recommended range is from NIS 20 (minimum) to NIS 50 (recommended). Call 02 5619165 for details.

Mercaz HaMagshimim Web site

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