Israel at 70

This year, Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israel’s independence day, starts on the evening of April 18 and ends the following night. Special celebrations will be held in the Jewish state, around the world, across the United States and right here in Baltimore.

Here are some stories about Israel at 70.

Howard County Celebrates Israel’s 70th — On May 6, the Jewish Federation of Howard County hosted a community-wide celebration for the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding.
Community Turns Out for Israel Independence Day Celebration — Representing Gov. Larry Hogan, Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford was among 1,800 people on April 18 who celebrated the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding at Pikesville’s Beth Tfiloh Congregation.
Community to Celebrate Israel’s 70th Birthday with Array of Events — The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore views this year’s special Yom Ha’atzmaut milestone as a way to explore the culture, history and future of Israel. It’s also a vehicle to bring the community together.
Israel’s Future to be Discussed at Beth Tfiloh Event — The fifth annual Dahan Lecture featured Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, and Bret Stephens, contributing columnist for The New York Times and senior contributor for NBC news.
How 1948 Changed American Jews — Today, nearly all American Jewish institutions are vocally, even passionately pro-Israel. But even in the years after the Jewish state won its independence 70 years ago, that feeling was not yet universal.
An American Holocaust Survivor Recalls Fighting in Israel’s War of Independence — Mordechai Schachter didn’t know he would soon be a soldier when he traveled from his native Romania to prestate Israel in 1948. He was a 17-year-old with a passion for Zionism.
What Women in Israel and the West Learned form Each Other — American Jewish women have idealized Israeli women as feminist role models since the days of prestate Israel, when women were photographed plowing fields alongside men.
Howard Co.’s Israel Emissary Helps Residents Connect with the Jewish State — Ella Haetzni still struggles to define what being a shlicha is all about. “The best way to explain it in English is cultural emissary from Israel. Shlicha means to come to a place, to bring something.”
BZD’s New Israel Emissary Brings a Taste of the Jewish State to Charm City — As the Baltimore Zionist District’s new resident shaliach, or Israel emissary, Idan Zrihen is crystal clear about his role. “My job is to bring Israel to the Baltimore community.”
On May 6, from 1-5 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Howard County will hold its “Israel at 70 Festival,” featuring live performances by The Highlights (Molly Krief and Saar Gez), a DJ, Israeli dancing, and synagogue choirs and dance troupes. The community-wide festival will be held on the lawn behind Temple Isaiah. Activities will include an official ceremony in honor of Israel’s 70th birthday; Israeli food, dance and crafts; an Israeli beer and wine-tasting booth, a moon bounce; face-painting; an army training obstacle course; and more. There will also be special booths like the “Kotel Experience,” where people can leave notes in a Western Wall model which will eventually be brought to the real Kotel in Jerusalem. Entry to the festival is free, but food and activities are cash-only. For information, visit JewishHowardCounty.org/IsraelAt70.