Union—The YMYWHA was teeming with visitors, families, and vendors on Thursday evening—first to remember the fallen of Israel, and then to celebrate the enduring miracle of our Holy Land of Israel.
We are frequently and experientially a people of fire and ice; events occurring in close succession of both great sadness and great joy. Yom Hazikaron on Wednesday, followed by Yom Ha’atzmaut on Thursday, truly exemplifies this historical reality, and the event at the “Y” tastefully blended them into a community event filled with both meaning and fun.
The “Celebrate Israel” event was co-sponsored by the Halpern Family, Clara Kramer, and the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. Coordinated by Jani Jonas, Assistant Executive Director of the “Y,” this program truly had something for everyone. The “Y” was decked out in blue and white, with Israeli flags strung throughout the lobby and auditorium areas. The Jerusalem Restaurant, operated by the Elliot Rosenblum family, offered a light varietal menu of standard Israeli-style options “to go”—and of course pizza slices. The lines were quite long at times, but hundreds of diners seemed happy to wait, especially being housed in a make-shift dining room attached to the auditorium making it possible to stay involved with the program going on out there.
The program launched with a welcome from Bryan Fox and Benjamin Veit of the YM-YWHA, and introductions of the JEC choir directed by Mrs. Chana Salaman to sing the national anthems of Israel and the US. The choir also sang some other selections from their repertoire of spirited music about Israel. The Yom Hazikaron Ceremony followed the anthems with remarks by Amir Shachan, Executive Director of IPC of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. Shari Bloomberg shared a sobering oratory entitled, “A Day of Remembrance.” A poignant slide show honored recently fallen soldiers of the Israeli Army during “Operation Protective Edge,” last summer, and acknowledged their service to Israel by bravely defending the safety, cities, and borders of the land.
JEC and Bruriah students remembered Eiyal, Gilad, and Naftali—the three kidnapped teenagers—in a narrated video. Rabbi Joshua Hess of Congregation Anshe Chesed of Linden provided a sobering rendition of K’El Ma’aleh Rachamim—the traditional prayer recited at funerals and yartzeits. Marvin Rosenberg, gabai at congregation Adath Israel then recited the prayer for Heavenly protection of Israeli soldiers, followed immediately by an intense and lengthy shofar-blowing by Mark Bloomberg. Not only was the steady and still sound long, but the curled shofar itself was about three feet in length! The large crowd then heard remarks from Ma’or Tiri, the Youth Israeli Emissary of the Federation, followed by a riveting address from Dov Ben Shimon, CEO of JFedGM/NJ. A central theme to his address was the overarching importance of Jewish unity in all parts of the world, and our solidarity with Israel in all situations—exemplified during his visits last summer to Israeli families who suffered the loss of family members serving in the army. Rabbi Michael Bleicher of the Elmora Hills Minyan presented a D’Var Torah, emphasizing our reverence for the Kedusha of the Land, which drives and strengthens the Jewish nation to endure the pain and suffering of defending it, and upholding the tenets of our people. The program closed with the prayer for the State of Israel offered by Rabbi Ben Goldstein from Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim in Cranford.
Punctuated in a way only the Maccabeats can, the excitement of the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration was instantly kicked up several notches as the inimitable a capella male vocalists, the Maccabeats, quickly populated the stage—including hometown favorite Mordy Weinstein. Their energy filled the auditorium as their harmonies filled the hearts and ears of the crowd. Members of the audience were on their feet, or swaying in their seats, clapping and tapping, and singing along with the infectious tunes and uplifting lyrics of some of the Maccabeats’ popular favorites. The tunes of the night included their opener, “No Oil,” and continued with numerous other standards such as: “Raise Your Glass,” “One Day (There Will Be No More War),” “Pompeii,” “Home,” and (encore request) “Candlelight,” as well as others. The encore and finale number, which was not planned by the group, was performed in response to “fan demand,” and after consulting all the guys, leader Julian/Chaim Horowitz made a change in the program to please their loyal crowd and keep nearly everyone on their feet singing along and clapping…with many dancing as well.
Normally there would not be a situation like this during Sefirah, and people clearly took a step outside of the solemnity of the Sefirah season to express and demonstrate appreciation for, and celebrate, the miracle of the existence, perseverance, endurance, and potential of the Land of Israel. It is truly an amazing and miraculous reality.
By Ellie Wolf
