The Jewish Federation of Central Alabama (JFCA) invites you to join us for ISRAELfest69, an annual community-wide celebration, which will showcase Israeli life, culture & spirit. All are invited: Whether you carry an Israeli passport or you carry Israel in your heart and mind, we hope you will join us to celebrate the Jewish State.
Israeli Independence Day, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut in Hebrew, commemorates the public reading of the Israeli Declaration of Independence by the first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, and its approval by Israeli leaders 69 years ago. In Central Alabama and communities across the United States, we celebrate Israel’s independence each year as a way to support one of our country’s strongest allies and to honor freedom and democracy throughout the world.
The event will feature: a variety of traditional Middle Eastern food, a salute to outstanding leaders dedicated to Israel, inspiring words from special guest speakers, a performance by a well-known Israeli entertainer, a raffle, an 8 foot replica of Jerusalem’s Western Wall, craft activities and dancing for the kids, merchandise, exciting door prizes, and much more!
At the center of the celebration is live entertainment by comedian Joel Chasnoff who will be joining us from Israel to make this year’s Central Alabama Independence Day Celebration a big success! He’s a former IDF combat soldier and author of the comedic memoir The 188th Crybaby Brigade, about his service in the Israeli Army.
“Joel was absolutely hilarious— our guests were laughing so hard they were literally crying.” Comments by previous attendance of Joel’s performance
Please join us for our ISRAELfest69 where we celebrate Israeli life, culture & spirit. Guests of all backgrounds can come learn about Israel, our local Jewish community and the wonderful work we do every day at the Federation while gathering with others who share a common love for the Jewish Homeland. Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut is a way for us as a community to express solidarity with Israel. We hope that you will attend and make this year our most successful year ever!