Take a trip to Jerusalem with PJ Library

By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

Jerusalem Light Festival is the most spectacular event to observe during the month of June. Light installations, together with incredible melodic local music, create an unforgettable fairy-tale atmosphere. The festival takes place in the old part of the city where different historic events or fairy tales are projected onto the stone buildings. The sight adds to lighting dozens of shades and angles.

The walls and cobblestone streets get illuminated with surreal modern art installations by Israeli and foreign artists. Every year, visitors are offered different paths through the city. Each of them is marked by a certain color of light, taking spectators from one installation to the next. Those unusual 3D installations are usually huge in size; there are also videos and sound-and-light shows. The paths, which are concentrated in Old City Jerusalem, attract hundreds of thousands of spectators from Israel and all over the world. In previous years, the festival has had about 250,000 visitors. During the Jerusalem Light Festival, there is also an art fair that displays and sells works by prominent light designers.

However, Jerusalem is not the only place for such a remarkable performance. Among the most famous installations are those taking place in our own version of the Jerusalem Light Festival right here at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center on June 25 at 3:30 p.m.

Until we get together, please check out these age-appropriate PJ Library Books or consider trying the engaging ideas listed below to bring Israel to the kiddos in your very own living room. birth of Israel as a nation, the first Jews (Abraham and Sarah), the Star of David and the Dead Sea (lowest point on Earth).

• Make a detailed map of Israel and its neighbors. (Love this one!)

• Learn about Israel’s currency (and make up a notebook sheet for it).

• Make a dinner of baked felafel sandwiches with a side of hummus for dipping. (recipe can be found at https:// www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bakedfelafel-sandwiches-recipe-1938264)

• Download some Israeli music and break out the percussion instruments for a dance party Israeli style.

• Take a little quiz to see what you have learned about Israel.

There are super cute PJ Library Books you can use to explore Israel with your littles. We’ve shown some here, but more can be found at https://pjlibrary. org/beyond-books/pjblog/april-2017/ tour-israel-with-these-picture-books.

Written and illustrated by Rachel Shalev

Written by Vivian Newman; illustrated by Akemi Gutierrez

Written by Leslie Kimmelman; illustrated by Talitha Shipman