INDEPENDENCE DAY OF ISRAEL CELEBRATION IN MOBILE
By Gila Hashkes from Israel

Israel celebrated its 62nd birthday this year. Here in Mobile, we had a great event at our Jewish Temple on Springhill Avenue sponsored by the Mobile Area Jewish Federation with over 120 people from different backgrounds all coming together to share their love to the Jewish homeland. The special guest of the event was an amazing Israeli musician, Amir Gwirtzman, who played in the past for former President Bill Clinton in the White House. We were lucky to have him in Mobile. He performed with 20 different woodwinds from all over the world. We also enjoyed delicious Israeli cuisine and the famous Israeli snack made from peanuts: Bamba.

In Israel, the two days of Memorial Day (Yom HaZicaron) and Independence Day (Yom Ha’Atzmaut) are celebrated one right after the other. First, we honor our soldiers, who lost their lives on behalf of Israel’s Independence. A siren is heard throughout the entire country calling everyone to stop from any activity they are in and standing silently for a moment of remembrance. That night, we start our Independence Day celebrations with a beautiful flag parade and fireworks.

Make sure to check out our celebration next year! And visit our booth from Israel at Mobile International Festival on November 18-20, 2010. You will learn more about Israel and the culture.