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Despite the rain, community members say Happy 62nd Birthday Israel

The rain began as a torrential downpour and ended as a trickle on Sunday, April 18, but nevertheless a steady flow of community members showed up throughout the afternoon for the JCC Suncoast’s Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration.

This year marked birthday number 62 for the Jewish state.

Dean Hershkowitz, JCC vice-president of programming, for the JCC, estimated that between 300 and 350 people turned out for the celebration, held mid-county at Largo Central Park. “That would be a conservative estimate,” he said.

Nine-year-old Joy Shubich of St. Petersburg greeted visitors with small Israeli flags, and those who came expressed a feeling of being connected with Israel and with each other as Jews.

“We have every stream of Judaism here today,” said Mel Kerman of Clearwater. “Today we are all one with Israel.”

Kay Sloan of Clearwater said she braved the rain and was glad others did as well. “It shows that Judaism is thriving in Pinellas County,” she said.

The event offered something for just about everyone, including goods for sale, food, music and camaraderie — and a special concert by the internationally known Moshav Band.

Although planned as an outdoor/ indoor event, the rain forced a change in plans. Organizers erected tents and moved almost everything inside a room in the Largo Cultural Center, located at the park.

Displayed for sale were handmade crafts from Israel, including decorative pillowcases, wall hangings, special covers for challah and fabric cases to hold a baby boy during his bris. Other Israeli products included jewelry, mezuzahs and candleholders.

Some vendors from around the state brought their creations as well, including more jewelry, paintings and assorted artwork.

Synagogues, temples, organizations and agencies provided manned exhibits featuring educational information about their programs and information about what is available here Jewishly.

Anne deMarlor of Temple Ahavat Shalom offered postcards for people to mail to soldiers in the Israeli army.

Outside the hall, Charlie Starr, a local mashgiach, checked falafel sandwiches and pita-stuffed chicken shawarma to make sure they were prepared according to the laws of kashrut and thus certifiably kosher.

Music filled the air during much of the afternoon. Cantor Deborah Jacobson of Temple Ahavat Shalom, accompanied by her daughter and temple congregants, led the attendees in a rousing rendition of Jerusalem of Gold and several other numbers. The CBS singers of Congregation Beth Shalom, led by Rabbi Danielle Upbin, joined with the temple singers and then launched into several numbers of their own, most notably Bashana Haba’ah, “Next Year,” written just before the creation of the state of Israel.

The Shalom Israeli dancers, led by Jeana Kibel, added to the festive atmosphere inside.

Yet despite the rain, the Los Angeles-based band Moshav performed as planned on the outdoor stage. As the band played its unique style of Israeli and Jewish music, a few celebrants stood under tents to watch and listen, while some other participants danced in front of the stage as a drizzle continued to fall. Most attendees moved from inside to the overhangs of the center and listened, clapped and tapped their feet.

Leslie Friedman of Clearwater expressed a commonly felt sentiment.

Israel Independence Day is commemorated with goods, food and music, she said, “but mostly it is all about ruach,” the spirit of being Jews together.





Photos by BEST VIEW PHOTOGRAPHY
Todd Malberg, JCC Community Outreach director
Shoppers browse Israeli-made goods.
Photos by BEST VIEW PHOTOGRAPHY
Singers from Temple Ahavat Shalom and Congregation Beth Shalom join together.
Rocking out to the sounds of the Moshav Band.
Participants show their support for Israel in various ways.
Photos by ELAINE MARKOWITZ
The Shalom Israeli folk dancers kick off with a traditional Havah Negilah.