In Israel, like in the United States, Independence Day is often celebrated with family and friends around the grill. But it’s also a time for tension in a new play from Israel that received its North American debut at Dobama Theatre last night.

Debbie Yasinow, Director of the Federation's Cleveland Israel Arts Connection, reflects on her time supervising Cory Irwin through the Milestones Autism Resources internship program. Read about her experience in the blog below, as featured in the Milestones Autism Resources blog.

It started in 2015 with an offer to go to Israel.

A special summer event: the American Premiere of ON THE GRILL, running June 21-July 8,

We recently concluded our 8-day Israel Arts and Culture Mission with a beautiful dinner at the Israel Museum, where our group got to share a few thoughts about what we experienced as we explored the depth and breadth of visual arts, music, dance, theater, architecture, literature, jewelry and textile design, and of course, the culinary arts! Somehow we managed to fit in all of those things between meals!

In 1961, John F. Kennedy took office as the 35th president of the United States, Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to fly into space, and Israel was of Bar Mitzvah age – 13. But also in 1961, the play, "Milk and Honey," debuted on Broadway, becoming the first musical ever set in Israel. "Milk and Honey" captures a community – the Jewish community – in Israel as it was, building their land from the ground up. This musical gives the audience a chance to see Israel for the first time through the main characters’ eyes.

Israeli cinema has grown from a fledgling industry with poor cinematography, curtailed subject matter and low box office sales to a darling of world film festivals and an increasingly visible and promising industry.

Jewish Cleveland – get ready to rock out for Israel’s 70th birthday! This year, our community is coming together to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut on April 19 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights with a concert featuring Israeli superstar, David Broza, alongside two up-and-coming music stars, Tamar Eisenman and Maya Isac. “It’s the ultimate in specialness to have David Broza perform here in Cleveland for Israel’s birthday,” said Scott Simon, Concert Co-Chair.

Over the years, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has accumulated an extensive Israeli and Jewish art collection. And thanks to our recent Cleveland Israel Arts Connection intern, Cory Irwin, we are able to learn the stories behind each piece. During his six month internship, Cory cataloged the art collection and researched the history of each piece.

The Musical Theatre Project – which documents and celebrates the history of the American musical theater art form through Cleveland-area concerts and cabaret performances – will be telling the story behind the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “Milk and Honey.”