05/06/2024

Jewish Cleveland’s Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Event Set for May 14

Tags: Federation, Israel, Overseas

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The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host its annual Yom Ha’atzmaut event – a free community celebration of Israel’s Independence Day – on Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation (27501 Fairmount Blvd in Pepper Pike).

Attendees will celebrate the resilience and beauty of Israel in a family-friendly atmosphere that will further strengthen our community’s bond with Israel. The program will begin with a meaningful opening flag ceremony honoring the heroes of Israel today, followed by unique crafting activities for all ages. Guests are encouraged to wear blue and white to show their Israeli pride.

The Federation will also host its annual Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) that honors the legacy and sacrifice of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. This meaningful program will feature music and prayers to honor the lives of the ones we have lost. Guests are encouraged to follow Israeli tradition of wearing a white shirt. This ceremony will be held two days before Yom Ha’atzmaut on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 pm at Green Road Synagogue (2437 South Green Road in Beachwood).

For this year's Yom Ha'atzmaut and Hazikaron, the red anemone flower will be prominently featured. These flowers bloom in the south of Israel each year as a symbol of vitality, rebirth, and renewal. Southern Israel, which was a site of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, comes alive in vivid color each year at this time.

“This has been a difficult year for Israel and the Jewish people, but Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut allow us to stand proudly with Israel as a Jewish Cleveland community,” said Mark Holz, Federation’s Overseas Connections Committee chair. “Like the red anemone flower, our Jewish community continues to bloom and grow despite the conditions we face. I look forward to seeing everyone at these special events.”

Registration is required to attend both events. For more information or to register for Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron, please visit www.jewishcleveland.org.

Learn More: Federation, Israel, Overseas