WJC Celebrates Israel May 9, 2019

LINDA ALPERT KAREL ISRAEL COMMITTEE CHAIR

Since 1948, we have joyously celebrated Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) on or about the 5th of Iyar, usually in early to mid-May. This year, WJC will host our event May 9, and we have much to celebrate! Israel has been setting new records every year. For example:

Last month, the first ever successful vein transplant was performed at Hadassah Hospital in Israel from a living donor son to his own father.

The number of visitors to Israel has increased by 41% in the last two years, with new airline service from more cities around the globe.

Israel’s Via Surgical FasTouch fixation system for hernia repairs received FDA approval this past March.

A Kurdish delegation from Iraq and Syria visited Israel, strengthening the bond between the Kurdish and Jewish peoples.

Israelis were just ranked as the 11th happiest people in the world according to Gallup’s 2018 World Happiness Report (US was ranked 18th). Israelis have the best diets in the world (or at least the lowest rate of diet-related deaths) per the Global Burden of Disease study published in The Lancet.

Madonna will perform live at the Eurovision grand finale in Tel Aviv on May 18, 2019, bringing a 65-person staff, including dozens of backup dancers.

And speaking of dance—Israeli dance was the first unifying culture of the Jewish people coming to Israel from diverse backgrounds and locations. Not music, not art, not literature, but dance. That’s why our very own Shmulik Gov-Ari, a master Israeli dance teacher and choreographer, will kick off our May 9 event at 5:00pm, leading parents, grandparents, caretakers and children of all ages in simple and joyous rhythms.

From 6:00 to 7:00pm, everyone is invited to enjoy an Israeli-style meal catered by Kosher Food Truck Hatov VeHameitiv ($5 per person, max $20 per family; please contact RSVP@wjcenter.org). After our meal, come share your thoughts on “Shtisel,” the hit Israeli TV show about the Haredi community and available on Netflix.

And Don’t forget:

If you like the dancing you see here, you’re invited to our regular drop-in dance sessions nearly every Monday evening at 7:30pm. It’s a great way to celebrate and support Israel, enhance your spirituality and learn some new dance moves.