Plans are underway for the annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut event in Livingston on Thursday, May 1. “Livingston Celebrates Israel” is headed by local residents Suzy Lugashi, Shyella Mayk and Inna Yelisevich. “We were involved for years,” Lugashi said. “Last year we were asked to step in as the event’s lead planners and gladly took on the challenge.”
Local vendor and supporter Wine Legend hosted a meet and greet last Friday to share information about the festivities and offer a tasting of some of Israel’s best wines. Dr. Ellen Wasserman of MediCentral, Urgent Care Livingston, was there and is a sponsor of Celebrate Israel. “I’m supporting the committee and Israel and I [so] appreciate everything,” she said.
Lugashi and Yelisevich are realtors in town, and Mayk is a physical education teacher in Livingston. They each have a passion for planning events that bring people together. From their first few years in Livingston they have been very active in the community, creating fun activities for people to get to know each other, such as Playground Playtime, picnic meetups, Shabbat dinners and women’s networking events. In the wake of Oct. 7, their bond deepened as they united to organize vigils and rallies in solidarity with Israel.
There is great enthusiasm for this year’s event, as prior years were such a success, with close to 800 people in attendance. “This year, the dream is to be even bigger,” Lugashi said. “The event is moving outdoors with an unforgettable evening filled with pride, unity and joy as Livingston and surrounding towns come together to celebrate Israel.”
There is great support from the committee, sponsors, Livingston Township Council, Mayor Edward Meinhardt and the community. This year’s sponsors include all Livingston synagogues, Israel Bonds, Jewish National Fund, Israel American Council, Regal Bank, Shoprite, Dr. Douglas Harte, Crystal Plaza, Complete Martial Arts, Teacher Tutors, Alpha Fitness Club, Dr. Gorkowitz/Gorkowitz Orthodontics, Rock Solid Krav Maga, Saks Orthodontics, Wine Legend, Cookie Cutters, Sweet Kneads, Line Eraser, Bagel Nosh and Medi Central Urgent Care.
Find out more at https://livingstoncelebratesisrael.com/ and on Facebook and Instagram @Livingstoncelebratesisrael. Email [email protected] to participate or for more information.
The May 1 event will take place 4 p.m.-7:15 p.m. at the gazebo off Livingston Avenue, across from town hall. It is free and open to all. There will be fun activities for the kids, a DJ, Israeli dancing, a live performance by entertainer and rapper Kosha Dillz. Food vendors include Nova survivor Raif Rosh, from the kosher NYC restaurant Taboonia. Plenty of parking will be available along the oval at the library and high school complex. At 7:30 p.m. there will be a flag raising at Livingston Town Hall.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, there has been great activism in our communities. Groups such as MetroWest Advocates and Livingston Advocates give us a great opportunity to unite to meet our goals. In West Orange on that same day, Thursday, May 1, there will be a flag raising at West Orange Town Hall at 5 p.m.. All are invited to then come to Livingston for more celebration!
