YOM HA’ATZMAUT
(Israel Independence Day)
 HOLIDAY HUB 

Craft Ideas, Recipes, Music Videos, Events, Cooking Videos, and more to help your family celebrate together or apart.

Yom Ha'atzmaut, or Israel Independence Day commemorates the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. In Israel, Jewish people celebrate the holiday with fireworks, barbecues, and public concerts. Outside Israel, Jewish communities host parties and gatherings to celebrate. Often, the focus of these events is on Israeli culture, everything from classic Israeli foods to Israeli dance, Israeli music, and all things Hebrew. People wear blue and white and wave Israeli flags. You can celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut by trying Israeli foods, listening to music, and learning about Israel. 

 

Yom Ha’atzmaut is marked each year on the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which is the Hebrew date of the formal establishment of the State of Israel. This year, Yom Ha’aztmaut will begin in the evening on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 and end on the evening on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers, honoring the sacrifice that has made Israel’s existence possible.

*Adapted from PJLibrary.com and myjewishlearning.com 

YOM HA'ATZMAUT EVENTS

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COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

In person at the JCA – 1342 Congress St., Portland
Sunday May 1st | 3:00 PM ET
Free | All are welcome 

Join us for Israeli folk dancing with Barbara Merson, a children’s singalong with Cantor Sheila Nesis, kids’ crafts, and delicious free falafel from the Falafel Mafia food truck. 

Please note: 

  • Advanced registration required by Friday, 4/29  
  • No large bags, backpacks or duffels  
  • Proof of vaccination required for all attendees age 12+ 
  • Face masks required for attendees age 2+ at all times, except for in the designated eating area 

Please see the JCA COVID policy before visiting 

Women on the front Lines IDF Israel

WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINES - Inside the Combat Units of the Israeli Army 

A Zoom discussion with photographer Debbie Zimelman
Sunday, May 1st | 5:00 PM ET 

Advanced registration required by Friday 4/29 to receive the Zoom link. 

Women on the Front Lines is the first and only photography book offering an insiders’ view, sharing an intimate glimpse of the lives of women who serve in the Israeli army’s combat units. The photographs are accompanied by descriptions – in the soldiers’ own words – of their fears, challenges, and accomplishments. The book is a culmination of five years of photographing and interviewing female soldiers from over 20 IDF units.  

Debbie has been a portrait photographer in Israel for 25 years, where she resides. 

borninjerusalem

ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL 

Presented by the JCA and the Maine Jewish Film Festival in partnership with Menemsha Films
May 4-9, 2022

Festival Pass (9 films): $50 | $40 with discount code
Enter our exclusive discount code for 20% off: MAINEIID 

Celebrate Israel with six nights of exclusive, award-winning films, available to view from the comfort of home via your TV, computer or mobile devices. 

Your ticket purchase provides limited-time access to this series of 9 films, plus exclusive filmmaker discussions and more, with new content added each night of the festival. 

This series is available throughout North America, in partnership with film festivals, synagogues and Jewish organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Enter the special promo code provided by your local organization at checkout to receive a discount and support your local community! 

Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcUgWPGI9gI 

MUSIC

Al Kol Eleh (Over All These) – Koolulam with Shlomi Shabbat 

A mass singing initiative with 12,000 participants and Israeli superstar Shlomi Shabbat performing a classic by songwriter Naomi Shemer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzR9Z-kG6Q 

 

Shevet Achim V’Achayot (A Tribe of Brothers and Sisters) 

A collaboration of 35 of Israel’s finest singers and songwriters, composed and produced by Idan Raichel 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLAlJ5s1Aw 

 

Feker Libi (My Heart’s Desire) 

Israel’s song entry at the 2020 Eurovision contest, performed in Hebrew, English, Amharic, and Arabic by Ethiopian Israeli singer Eden Alene 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjzyZZ-oidc 

 

Ten Lazman Lalechet (Let the Time Go) 

Mizrachi music medley by The Revivo Project, Live at Sultan’s Pool, Jerusalem 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrR5l0-HRho 

Sheh’kshehnavo (When We Arrive) 

A beautiful modern take on another Mizrachi classic about the meaning of life; adapted from a Greek song, featuring the iconic singer Shlomi Shabbat and an ensemble of Israeli musical stars 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfGf9nBzc1g 

 

Hatikva (The Hope - Israel’s national anthem) 

Acapella performance by Accent 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rvDqu7kHQQ 

 

Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) 

Written by Naomi Shemer in 1967. The song describes the Jewish people's 2000-year longing to return to Jerusalem. Performed by superstar Ofra Haza. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8gtdDA5x0 

 

Tune in live to Israel’s Reshet Gimmel radio station 

https://www.kan.org.il/radio/player.aspx?stationId=9 

CRAFTS 

Fun craft ideas celebrating Israel from the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, including: 

  • Engraved tin foil Hamsa – an ancient hand-shaped Middle Eastern symbol considered a protective talisman that brings good fortune, health and happiness. 
  • Magen David (Star of David) suncatcher 
  • Israeli mosaic flag 
  • Israeli pinwheel 
  • Israeli windsock 

https://www.benderjccgw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Document4.pdf 

ISRAELI FOLK DANCING 


Shalom Al Yisrael - Hora Jerusalem Flash Mob
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGL-QK2H4 

 

Hevenu Shalom Alehem /Jerusalem Academy Flash Mob
for Taglit Birthright program arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ_nbinWkvE 

 

The choreographed dance of Shevet Achim V’Achayot – A Tribe of Brothers and Sisters 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBW5fu7HJ44 

 

Beginner Dances 

A playlist of videos by leading Israeli choreographer and dance session leader Gadi Bitton. The first half of each clip is instruction in English, followed by a group performing the dance to music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZCMdZ5WkYw&list=PL1vkZlllP9bgehngdp3M1AwgATHtQXnh4 

WATCH 

What is Yom Ha’atzmaut – Bim Bam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXg5e1sg5s 

 

Israel Story presents IsraPalooza
interviews in English with incredible Israeli artists and musicians and media personalities: 

 

Musician David Broza: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9PkqKERYEk 

 Violinist Itzhak Perlman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFiR6FC_wtw 

 Artist Hanoch Piven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sN2CFShXvQ 

 Arab-Israeli news anchor Lucy Aharish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAsjO3a51u4 

RECIPES


Perfect simple Hummus (chickpea dip) – The Nosher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6LOtI2EeCM 

 

Shakshuka 

Fragrant North African dish of bell peppers, tomatoes and eggs by superstar Israeli / British chef Yotam Ottolenghi 

https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/shakshuka# 

 

Ottolenghi’s Sabih & Zhoug  

An Iraqi-inspired combination of eggplant, egg and condiments on bread with Zhoug - a wonderful Yemenite green chili sauce 
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/15/yotam-ottolenghi-sabih-recipe 

 

Classic Israeli Salad 

Chopped tomatoes and cucumbers by Tori Avey 
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/israeli-salad-week/ 

 

Falafel 

The quintessential Israeli street food of fried chickpea balls, typically served in pita bread with tahini, hummus, and Israeli salad 
https://downshiftology.com/recipes/falafel/ 

 

Cheese-filled Bourekas

Savory puff pastry hand pies, popular throughout Israel and the Middle East, by Tori Avery 
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/cheese-bourekas/ 

 

Israeli-inspired Chocolate Balls 

No-bake truffles your kids will love to make 
https://www.kveller.com/no-bake-cookie-truffles-your-kids-will-love-to-make/ 

 

Rugelach by Ina Garten 

Chocolate, cinnamon or jam filled crescent-rolled pastries 
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rugelach-recipe-1944318 

PJ LIBRARY YOM HA’ATZMAUT RESOURCES FOR KIDS & FAMILIES 


Including a Shalom Sesame video clip (the Israeli version of Sesame Street), book lists, Israeli snacks and activities 

https://pjlibrary.org/yomhaatzmaut