On May 14, 1948 Israel declared its independence, and to commemorate its 70th anniversary, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has packed this May with opportunities to celebrate. From a Greater Philadelphia-wide party to multiple musical performances, no matter your celebratory style, we have something special planned for you.
The festivities kick off on May 6th with 5-6-70 Israel! at the Event Center at Valley Forge Casino Resort from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The ultimate birthday party for Israel’s 70th, 5-6-70 Israel! will be brimming with cooking demos, wine and olive oil tastings, Israeli dancing, Gaga courts, short Israeli films, a kids’ area featuring theater and Israeli-made toys, a marine science exhibit, local music and the hit Israeli cover band Capaim. Parking and entry are free, but bring cash or a card for lunch from vendors offering vegetarian and kosher options, and for strolling the Marketplace, which will be filled with fine crafts and Judaica. Beat the lines and pre-register here.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! That evening at 7:00 p.m., Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza will treat us to a very special Israel70 birthday performance. Famous for his dynamic style, Broza will fill Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El with his unique fusion of English, Spanish and Israeli sounds. Tickets for David Broza: Live in Concert can be purchased here.
Looking for even more music? Join us on May 9th at 8:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel (BZBI) to experience Israel’s musical diversity through a gorgeous blend of sounds with ARTolerance. Hear Israeli-born Philadelphia Orchestra musicians Udi Bar-David (cello) and Nitzan Haroz (trombone) as they perform with Mizrahi-Ashkenazi vocalist Rabbi Yosef Goldman and Lebanese-American percussionist Joseph Tayoun. For more information and for tickets, click here.
And at 1:00 p.m. on May 14th — the day Israel declared its independence — join us at the northeast corner of Philadelphia’s City Hall for a first-time-ever raising of the Israeli flag. This ceremony will honor our Jewish homeland as elected officials and a local choir proudly commemorate Greater Philadelphia’s long connection to Israel.
To find out more about Israel70 — our yearlong celebration of Israel’s 70th anniversary — and to register for these upcoming events, click here.
