Northern Arizona Israel Center to be Dedicated May 4
Temple B’rith Shalom in Prescott will have a dedication luncheon at noon on May 4 for the Northern Arizona Israel Center. According to TBs past-president Bob Casden, the center will showcase the successes and growth of Israel as a way to create pride in the community as well as a deeper connection to Israel. One wall in the Temple library will have brochures, a map of Israel, a revolving photo exhibit area, a small library and an interactive touch screen computer. The religious school will add programming around Israel and the center also will initiate programming that explores the wonder of Israel and strengthens bonds with the Jewish state. In naming this the “Northern Arizona” center, the Temple hopes to reach out to the Jewish communities in Flagstaff and Sedona in an effort to bond with them around Israel and the center’s objectives. The community is invited to participate and celebrate Israel’s 66th birthday. 928-708-0018, brithshalom-az.org
Tucson Celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut May 2-14
Collaborating with several organizations, the Israel Center of Tucson has created an extended community-wide celebration of Israel’s 66th birthday from May 2 to 14. Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, is May 6 this year, but Weintraub Israel Center Director Oshrat Barel has coordinated an extended celebration. Many events will feature Shlomo Gadamo, a 22-year-old 2nd Lieutenant in the Israel Defense Forces. Shlomo’s parents and older brothers came to Israel from Ethiopia in the 1990s; he was the first in his family born in Israel. His appearances include: May 2, 6:30 pm, Congregation or Chadash, 3939 N. Alvernon Way; May 3, 9:30 am, Congregation
Bet Shalom, 3881 E. River Road, and noon at Congregation Young Israel, 443 E. 4th St; May 5, noon at Or Chadash and 3 pm JfSA Northwest Division; May 6, 7 pm, honored by Hebrew High at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. 5th St.; May 9, 6:30 and 7:30 pm, Shabbat Israel Rocks, Temple Emanu-el, 225 N. Country Club Road. A tribute to fallen soldiers on Yom Hazikron, Israel’s Memorial Day, at 6:30, May 4, and “Let’s Talk about Going to Israel” at 7 pm, May 7, are both at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E. River Road. Congregation Anshei Israel hosts the Israel Solidarity Shabbat at 9 am on May 10 and “The Religious Foundation of Modern Zionism” at 11 am on May 14. The celebration culminates 5-9 pm, May 14 at the Tucson JCC with live music by Israeli singer- songwriter Lior Balavi and community choirs; Israeli food; a ceremony honoring local women for contributions to Israel; firefighters sharing their Israel Mission experience; and a talk by Eran Levin on Israel’s Natural Defense Forces. The event is free. Contact the Israel Center at 520- 577-9393 ext. 132 or jfsa.org
The Valley Celebrates Israel at 66 on Route 66
Israel is turning 66 this year and the Valley Israel Center is thematically tying celebrations into the iconic Route 66 by touring around the Valley. Yom Ha’atzmaut starts at 8 pm May 10 with a party featuring live music, arts and craft fair, and Israeli food vendors at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road.
On May 11 the celebration continues:
7:30 am: Hike the Negev! breakfast and walk at Gateway Loop Trail on east side of Thompson Peak Parkway just north of Bell Road; Co-sponsored by Congregation Or Chadash, Scottsdale.
10:30 am: Israeli breakfast, live music and kids activities at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix.
10:30 am: Learn about Israeli food and culture at this culinary class at Congregation Beth Tefillah, 10636 N. 71st Way, #1, Scottsdale.
11:30 am: “Campfire,” a 2004 Israeli movie with an Israeli feminist theme in honor of Mother’s Day. Held at Temple Beth Shalom of the NW Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City.
1 pm: “Noodle,” a 2007 Israeli movie, and Israeli snacks at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale.
3 pm: “Life in Stills,” a one-hour documentary about the discovery of a million negatives of photos of the early days of Israeli settlement, at the East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road Chandler.
info: Shahar Edry, shahare@vosjcc.org or 480-483-7121, ext. 1109.
