This is a big year for State of Israel as it celebrates the 65th anniversary of its birth. The Kansas City Jewish community will celebrate it not once, not twice, but three times during the month of April.
Why schedule three events so close together in one month, you might ask. Israel Shlicha (Emissary) Ophir Hacohen explained that ever since the State of Israel was founded, the memorial day commemoration and the independence day celebration have been linked together.
“Some people say that’s strange. But it’s part of the idea that the way we established the state cost a very high price, and still does to this day, and we have to remember that. So where there’s happiness there’s also sorrow for those who lost their lives for our country,” explained Hacohen, who has now been serving the Jewish community of Kansas City about eight months.
The third event, Lag b’Omer, just happens to fall close to Israel Independence Day events. Hacohen said attending one, two or even all three of these events is a wonderful way to show support for the Jewish state.
“People often ask me how they can show support for Israel when they live all the way here,” Hacohen said. In addition to donating money, “this is a great way to honor and celebrate with Israel.”
Planning three events celebrating Israel is a lot of work, but Hacohen thinks it will be worth it.
“It’s amazing that the community goes to so much effort to honor Israel during this month. We have so many events but they keep going strong because people come to them and people look forward to them,” she said.
“I think people are looking for more and more ways to support Israel. We have a lot of organizations working on these events and I think this is a wonderful way to unite and support Israel.”
Yom HaZikaron
Israel’s Memorial Day
Hacohen explained that Yom HaZikaron, which will be commemorated here on Sunday, April 14, is Israel’s Memorial Day dedicated to fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
“It’s the day that foremost honors those who have lost their lives and in Israel, unfortunately, we have many victims of terror attacks.”
This year’s event will be held on the same day that Israelis will hold memorials.
“It’s really wonderful and very meaningful that we hold the ceremony the same day that it is in Israel,” Hacohen said. Sunday is memorial day eve and Monday is the actual day in Israel.
The Yom HaZikaron ceremony will be held in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Campus beginning at 7 p.m. The event, which is slated to last an hour, will include Israeli music provided by Emily Tummons, Leslie Zucker and Sophia Porter, a student at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
In years’ past the Israeli army officer stationed at the officer’s training school at Fort Leavenworth has attended this event. This year, however, the officer, Uzi Kliger, will be in Washington, D.C. that evening and won’t be able to attend.
But the Israeli Defense Forces will still be represented this year in the form of guest speaker and former lone soldier Yoona Kolfina. Her presentation will be about the life a lone soldier. The local Jewish community boasts eight lone soldiers in the IDF — Sam Mendel, Sam Kohn, Rachel Kaplan, Alana Gaffen, Jason Barnett, Tomer Bar Lavi, Aviv Bonomo and Mai Bonomo.
Kolfina immigrated to Israel from Belgorod, Russia, in 2006 through the Na’aleh program. She was active in the Jewish community in her town and participated in the Jewish Agency’s summer camps. She studied at a boarding school in Herzliya and finished high school there. She joined the IDF Karakal unit following high school and served as a combat lone soldier, also serving as a paramedic during her army service. After her army service, she finished a course as fitness instructor at Wingate institute and worked in her field. She also works as a paramedic at a support center for drug addicts.
Yom HaAtzmaut
Israel Independence Day
Two days after Yom HaZikaron, on Tuesday, April 16, the community will celebrate Israel Independence Day. Hacohen said three things will happen that evening.
The celebration will begin with a walk for Israel called Walk the Land 65. The Afikim Foundation, in conjunction with the World Zionist Organization and the Israel Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, is organizing this global walk. Locally it is being sponsored by the Jewish Federation, the Rabbinical Association, Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee, Hadassah and Village Shalom. The first Walk the Land celebrated Israel’s 60th anniversary and drew nearly 100,000 participants in 100 community-wide walks worldwide, including here. The walk is a show of pride and solidarity with Israel, celebrating Israel’s contributions to the world and highlighting Israel’s emphasis on life.
Walk participants are asked to gather at Village Shalom between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m. Shuttles will be available at the Campus to take people to Village Shalom. Walkers will begin walking to the Campus at 5:45 p.m. The walk itself should take between 15 and 20 minutes.
The first 100 people to arrive at Village Shalom will be given a free T-shirt commemorating the event. In addition the first 200 people will get a packet of seeds from Israel to take home and plant.
A free open house at the Jewish Community Center begins at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by Shir Balev, Israeli food will be available for purchase, a children’s area will be available and a photo booth will be set up for families to have their photos taken by the Child Development Center’s Western Wall replica. This celebration is sponsored by the Israel Committee of the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federation.
“People can socialize and have fun and do different activities related to Israel,” Hacohen said.
The celebration will conclude with the Israeli movie “A Matter of Size,” which will be screened outdoors at 8 p.m. by the Jewish Community Center’s Fitness & Sports entrance. In case of inclement weather, the movie will be shown in the White Theatre. This movie features the community’s sister city of Ramla, Israel. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the evening. Popcorn will be sold during the movie.
“The movie is a very successful comedy about four overweight guys that decided to put together a sumo wrestling group in Ramla,” Hacohen said.
Volunteers are still needed for Yom HaAtzmaut events.
“We would love some more volunteers, most of which are needed to help with the food,” she said. Volunteers will be needed late afternoon to help put things together and to sell food. Those interested in volunteering should contact Hacohen at 913-327-8124.
Lag b’Omer
A joyous holiday
This is the second year the community will sponsor a Lag b’Omer picnic celebration. It will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Gezer Park.
“Lag b’Omer marks the time between Passover and Shavuot in Jewish tradition. In Israel it is usually celebrated with great big bonfires. This year Jewish Federation is working again with the city of Leawood and the Torah Learning Center to plan the event,” Hacohen said.
Events that day will include storytelling with Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern. Bridey Stangler, the director of the Jewish Community Center’s camp, will lead children’s activities as well. Participants are encouraged to bring their own picnics or purchase hot dogs, chips, potatoes and drinks. All food served will be kosher. S ’mores will be provided for free.
Hacohen said Lag b’Omer celebrations in Israel are usually at night. However the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Civic Service Award Dinner is that evening, so organizers felt hosting the picnic earlier in the day would be appropriate.