Today is Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel’s 64th Independence Day!

As we prepare for San Diego Celebrates Israel this Sunday, our community celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, we thought you would all like to get a glimpse of some of the work we are doing in San Diego in support of Israel, our connection, and one Jewish People. 

This past Tuesday evening about 400 community members shared in the annual Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) memorial service recognizing those individuals who have died in service to the State of Israel or through acts of terror. Shoshi Bogoch, our Community Shlicha provided exceptional support for the annual Yom HaZikaron commemoration committee.
 
This coming Sunday, April 29th, more than 70 organizations, synagogues, schools and merchants are partnering to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day. We are expecting more than 2,000 participants and several community leaders have remarked about the positive energy in the community around the extensive organizational engagement. For the first time ever, the Friendship Circle is holding its Friendship Walk in collaboration with San Diego Celebrates Israel, and some of the funds raised will benefit children with disabilities in Sha’ar HaNegev.

Thanks to all of the members of our Sha’ar HaNegev Partnership Committee who are working with us to have a strong showing at Yom Ha’atzmaut; and a special shout out to Debbie Kornberg, our Planning Officer, who stepped in to create this highly collaborative community event with Shoshi and Dana Mekler from our Israel & Overseas Center and Nurit Ambrose, Planning Associate. Aaron Truax, Director of Marketing, also has provided a high level of expertise in communicating the “Yoms” to our many stakeholders. 

Please see the eblast below that we sent out yesterday and check out the website at www.sdcelebratesisrael.com to see the day’s highlights. 

More than 700 people attended San Diego’s Yom HaShoah Commemoration at the JCC on April 15, which our JCRC Director Linda Feldman planned with a committee of community partners. 

We cherish our partnership with Sha’ar HaNegev and rest assured, many of those who come to Yom Ha’atzmaut this weekend will hear about the history of our special relationship, the excitement around the school opening in June, and the work that’s underway to take our partnership to the next level. Thanks to Alon Schuster, Aharale Rothstein, Gil Ya’ari, Udi Tzuri and the Israeli members of the Sha’ar HaNegev Partnership Committee for all that they are doing to strengthen our partnership.

Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach,
Claire Ellman, Jon Schneider, Lisa Haney and Michael Sonduck