Australia celebrates Israel’s 66th birthday
Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations for Israel's 66th birthday rocked Australia this week.
Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations for Israel’s 66th birthday rocked Australia this week.
More than 500 people attended the Zionist Council of NSW’s (ZCNSW’s) annual Yom Ha’atzmaut family carnival and concert at Randwick Racecourse on Monday night.
Event-goers were treated to the sounds of quintet Hamsa, singer Ilan Kidron with his band Glass, and vocalist Miriam Lieberman.
A jumping castle and giant slide kept children entertained, while face painting, food and youth movement stalls were also popular. The AJN had its own stall at the carnival, photographing children and placing them on mock covers of the newspaper.
“The Zionist Council is committed to bringing to our community the best of Israel, the best of its people, the best of its values,” said ZCNSW president Richard Balkin, adding that the night represented “the best of its [Israel’s] music”.
“The State of Israel has so much to be proud of: it is the only democracy and a beacon of light in a region constantly buffeted by the winds of change,” he said.
“It is a leader in so many fields as it makes one invaluable contribution after another to the world at large – be it in the fields of medicine, the environment, agriculture, science or technology – to name but a few.
“And all this, while its mighty defence forces ensure the wellbeing and security of its citizens.
“We, as members of the Australian Jewish community, are fortunate that we have the freedom to hold our heads up high as we salute the State of Israel, and sing and dance as we celebrate Israel’s 66th birthday.”
Kidron, who performed on the night, said “There was so much incredible music, family fun … the organisation was wonderful, it was exciting, it was fresh.”
Speaking of Israel’s independence, he added, “I think the Jewish people are stronger than ever, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
“Sixty-six years go by very quickly, but also very slowly in a way, because a lot of people outside of the community forget our tragic history,” he said.
“The existence of Israel is paramount, and I think it’s incredible, as a nation, what we’ve done in such a short time.”
In Victoria, a capacity crowd packed the Melbourne Recital Centre on Monday night in a soaring celebration of Israel’s 66th anniversary.
Braving inclement weather, school groups, youth movements and community leaders lapped up the birthday spirit, cheering entertainers and speakers, clapping along to the music, waving flags and bouncing an avalanche of blue-and-white beachballs around the auditorium.
Zionist Council of Victoria (ZCV) president Sam Tatarka paid tribute to the Jewish State at 66 as “a truly amazing country that has achieved so much in its short history and looks set to go on doing so for many years”.
Tongue in cheek, Israel’s Ambassador Shmuel Ben-Shmuel recited a roll call of Zionist youth movements to see which one could cheer the loudest.
On a more solemn note, he reflected that freedom and independence “was a dream that we kept alive even in the darkest moments our history”.
“Perhaps one of our greatest successes to date is the State of Israel’s commitment to protecting our fellow humans; preserving their right to survival – no matter their religion, creed or ethnicity.
Musical director Adam Starr served up an energetic menu of Israeli song and dance, held together by comical comperes Josh Gurgiel and Eli Grynberg.
Highlighting the entertainment was headline act Lior, surrounded by a group of children, and warming hearts with a rendition of Ani Ohev Chocolad (I Like Chocolate), one of his numbers based on the classic Israeli children’s book, Keves Ha’16 (The 16th Sheep) by Yehonatan Geffen.
Entertainment was in plentiful supply from acts including Vered Harel, Rachel Elberg, Spike Levy, Sagit Lourie, Jude Perl, Rav Noam Sendor and Gab Strum. This year’s program also included for the first time performance groups from Bialik College, The King David School, Leibler Yavneh and Mount Scopus Colleges.
The following day, crowds converged on Beth Weizmann Community Centre and the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia for the Zionist Council of Victoria’s Family Festival.
With the centre decked out in blue and white, children lined up for a variety of Israel-related activities, including a virtual tour of the Jewish State, featuring the Tel Aviv gym bus, the Kibbutz Ha’Tsafon petting zoo and a giant slide which doubled as the slopes of Mount Hermon.
Among the other attractions were arts and crafts, Israeli food and music, a puppet show, singalongs and a flag parade.
EVAN ZLATKIS & PETER KOHN
Pictured are Hamsa performing at the event in Sydney.
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