Celebrate Israel at the JCC this Month!

BY GON EREZ

Each year since Israel was established in 1948, two significant days of recognition stand out - Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) And Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day). Both days are observed back to back to remind us of the sacrifices we have made to gain our independence.

Last year we celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut at the JCC for the first time in many years. Hundreds of people from across the community came together - Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and secular - to celebrate the existence of a sovereign Jewish country after 2,000 years in exile. This year, we will honor Yom HaZikaron on Monday, April 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the JCC Benderson Family Building in a ceremony that will include prayers, blessings, musical pieces from our BPO cellist Robbie Housman, and a story from an IDF Veteran, Michael Aaronson.

The Yom HaAtzmaut celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 30th on the Irving M. Shuman Campgrounds. We will start with a community prayer and service, followed by a musical performance from TLV Band, a cover band from NYC that will play Hebrew and local music. Also, expect a party full of games, bounce houses, traditional (Kosher) Israeli food, and fun.

For more information, visit jccbuffalo.org.

Gon Erez is the Chief Program Officer at the JCC.