The news and headlines coming out of Israel these days are not always so rosy and comforting. Nonetheless, lovers and supporters of the Jewish state still have much to be celebratory and thankful for in this 75th year in the life of Israel.
To celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israel Independence Day, this year on Apr. 25-26, Baltimore’s Jewish community will hold a plethora of events and gatherings to mark this milestone anniversary.
Course Before the Course
Thursday, Apr. 20, 5-7 p.m.
Rosenbloom Owings Mills Jewish Community Center
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave.
Explore the history of the Israel Defense Forces and its various military branches with JCC shinshinim (year of service participants) Eden and Yali. In addition, Maian, Baltimore’s senior community shlicha (Israel emissary), will share her experiences as an educational non-commissioned officer in the Israeli navy. For information, visit baltimorejcc.my.site.com/s/registration.
Race for Remembrance
Sunday, Apr. 23, 8:30 a.m.
Owings Mills JCC
In partnership with Charm City Run, Friends of the IDF and the Shinshinim program of the Jewish Agency for Israel, the JCC will host a 5k run in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers and terror victims shortly before Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. Each runner will receive the name of a fallen soldier or terror victim on their race bib, along with a link to their bio, to run in their memory and honor. Open to all runners ages 8 and up. Run in a white shirt to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their life for Israel. Racing SWAG will be vailable to the first 200 registrants. Light breakfast, and medal-and-memory ceremony to follow the race. For information, visit runsignup.com/Race/MD/OwingsMills/RunForRemembrance5K.
Celebrate Yom Ha’Atzma’ut at BT’s 75th Israel Birthday Bash
Tuesday, Apr. 25, 6:15 p.m.
Beth Tfiloh Synagogue, 3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville
Join the nation’s largest Modern Orthodox congregation for a special community-wide Yom Ha’Atzma’ut celebration. Following a brief ceremony and musical outdoors davening, participants will enjoy Israeli cuisine catered by Yesh; walk through Beth Tfiloh’s shuk marketplace to sample favorite Israeli treats including gummies, dried fruit, a halva bar and a tea infusion station; dance the night away to live music; sip a variety of Israeli wines; befriend a camel; and decorate themselves with henna and create their own crafts. Nearly 1,000 community members are already signed up for this event. Please use the campus east entrance to access the parking lot. For information, visit bethtfiloh.com/ivdu-news-detail-holidays?pk=1522083&nc=27259&fromId=316279.
‘Exodus 91’
Tuesday, Apr. 25, 7 p.m
Gordon Center for Performing Arts (Gordon Theatre)
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
The opening event of the 35th annual William and Irene Weinberg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival will feature a special screening and concert event in celebration of Israel’s 75th. The Israeli hybrid docu-narrative film “Exodus 91” recounts the experiences of diplomat Asher Naim, who led Operation Solomon, the diplomatic and military mission to bring thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel in the midst of Ethiopia’s brutal civil war. The film will be followed by a short performance and remarks from celebrated Ethiopian-Israeli singer/songwriter AvevA Dese, known for fusing traditional Ethiopian sounds with her soul-pop melodies. For information, visit tickets.gordoncenter.com/selection/event/date?productId=10228780021623.
Community-Wide Celebration
Sunday, Apr. 30, 12:30-4 p.m.
Chizuk Amuno Congregation (Weinberg Playing Fields)
8100 Stevenson Rd., Pikesville
Join local synagogues and Jewish organizations for a community-wide celebration of Israel’s 75th. Make sure to wear blue and white, bring Israeli flags, be ready to dance the afternoon away, win prizes and participate in a hummus-making contest. Kids will enjoy carnival-themed games, Israeli-style games, flash mobs, popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, hair braiding and more. Adults will enjoy a drum circle, table conversations, Israeli dancing and more. Admission is free, and food will be available for purchase. This event is in partnership with the Baltimore Zionist District, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Beth El Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, Friends of the IDF-Maryland Chapter, Baltimore Jewish Council, the Baltimore Israel Coalition, Chizuk Amuno Congregation, Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation, Jewish Educational Services and the Jewish Agency for Israel. For information, visit bzdisrael.org/the-baltimore-community-celebrates-israel-75/.
Celebrating Tech & Innovation
Tuesday, May 2, 5:30-8 p.m.
Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway, Federal Hill
Join the Baltimore Jewish Council, the Maryland/Israel Development Center and The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore for a celebration showcasing Israeli companies and technologies in Maryland, speeches by elected officials and community leaders, video presentations highlighting Maryland’s partnerships with Israel, and drawings for two round-trip tickets from Dulles International Airport to Tel Aviv courtesy of United Airlines. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour featuring Israeli wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres. For information, visit eventbrite.com/e/baltimore-celebrates-israel-75-years-of-technology-and-innovations-tickets-533871322497.
Cell-A-Brate Gala
Sunday, May 21, 5-8:15 p.m.
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
7401 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
Hadassah Greater Baltimore will hold “Diamonds & Denim,” the 2023 Cell-A-Brate gala event to raise money for stem cell research and to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary. The event will begin with a cocktail hour and heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by The Knish Shop. Entertainment will be provided by comedian/singer Jackie Tohn, There will also be a silent auction. At the event, Jill Sapperstein will be honored for her years of commitment to Hadassah. For information, visit hadassah.org/region/greater-baltimore.
Shuk & Awe
Sunday, May 21, noon to 3 p.m.
Pearlstone Retreat Center & Outdoor Education Campus
5425 Mount Gilead Rd., Reisterstown
The Pearlstone Food and Craft Authentic Shuk will celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary by creating a festive historic atmosphere reminiscent of the outdoor shuks in ancient and modern Israel, and bringing together quality food, hands-on crafts, and learning opportunities. For information, visit adamah.org/event/israel75-celebration/.
Songs for Israel
Tuesday, May 23, 7 p.m.
Gordon Center for Performing Arts
In honor of Israel’s 75th Birthday, a concert will feature HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir (chapters from Baltimore, D.C., South Jersey and Philadelphia), the Kol Rinah Adult Choir, B’Harmonia from Krieger Schechter Middle School, and HaZaPrep Baltimore. Conductors include Erika Schon, Teddy Klaus, Leon Sher, and Melanie Blatt. For information, visit tickets.gordoncenter.com/selection/event/date?productId=10228782472699.
Multi-Sensory Experience
Sunday, June 4, 10:30 a.m.
Owings Mills JCC (Gordon Outdoors)
In celebration of Israel’s 75th birthday, FoodScape by Studio Mela will offer an authentic taste of the land in an entirely new way. The experience includes an interactive art installation, Israeli dancing and tasty bites of Israeli food provided by Pearlstone’s Kitchen. FoodScape invites you to examine the Holy Land and its history through transported soil, herbs, citrus and wildflowers, calling on your senses to map and define the culinary identity of each region. From Haifa to Eilat, participants will investigate the sounds, scents and tastes of the land of Israel. The self-guided outdoor experience invites audiences of all ages to wander among agricultural “fields” evoking the beauty and aromas of Israel, while performers sow and harvest them, gathering flavors. Guests are then invited to enjoy a glass of gazoz, a vintage Israeli beach treat, made from these extractions. FoodScape conceived by Studio Mela, co-commissioned and presented by BAMAH & the Jewish Arts Collaborative of Boston (JArts). For information, visit jcc.org/event/grow-israel-multi-sensory-mobile-art-experience.
Gallery Exhibit: Shlomo Cohen
Early June
Joseph & Rebecca Meyerhoff Gallery/Gordon Center for Performing Arts
Israeli-born Shlomo Cohen creates sleek and unique, modern artwork. With an eye for composition, colors and creativity, Cohen digitally draws artwork and brings them to life by printing the art on high-definition metal. For information, visit Israel @ 75 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore (jcc.org).
The BCO, founded in 1984, will perform the works of Frank Zappa, Beethoven, Mason Bates and Karena Ingram.
For more than 130 years, Sol Levinson & Bros. has been woven into the fabric of Baltimore’s Jewish community.
Led by local Israel-American cellist Amit Peled, the Mount Vernon Virtuosi aims to inspire people beyond musical enjoyment.
A former college campus activist, Veksler will speak at Chizuk Amuno on June 8 at the Ruth and Jay Lenrow Visiting Scholar-in-Residence for Combating Antisemitism.