Communities Increase Efforts to Celebrate Israel’s 25th Anniversary

Jewish communities throughout the nation are intensifying their efforts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Israel’s independence in a manner consistent with their strong identification with the Jewish State, it was announced by Jacob Stein, chairman of the American Committee for Israel’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Stein said more than 100 celebrations are to be held in local communities through Sept. 1973, including many that are scheduled for May 7, the actual anniversary date.

Among the major events that have been recently completed were highly successful Jerusalem Fair in Los Angeles which accommodated several hundred thousand visitors for a variety of Israel product and cultural-artifact exhibits and authentic Israel entertainment. A similar fair will be held in San Francisco from Feb. 24 to March 1. Other fairs are under consideration in other major communities. Stein said that 25th Anniversary Committees have been forming in almost all of the larger American Jewish communities and that most were planning independent programs of events between now and September.

For example, the New York Committee for Israel’s 25th Anniversary is now considering a special Israel Month with a concerted schedule of events to be launched by official ceremonies at City Hall and to be climaxed by the opening of a Fair, the annual “Salute to Israel” parade and other events. Philadelphia’s Committee will hold an exhibit of more than 90 outstanding paintings by Israel artists, an Israel Dance Festival, a four-day trade fair and a special luncheon of Philadelphia business leaders who will be addressed by Israel’s Minister of Information on “Israel’s Quest for Peace.”

FULL PROGRAMS OF EVENTS

Stein said that most other Anniversary Committees in large Jewish communities are planning full programs of events. Some of the major events are an Israel Expo in Cleveland on March 24, an Israel.Week in Detroit from May 6-13 which will include an economic conference for businessmen seeking trade relations with Israel and a concert by the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra in that city on Feb. 3.

Stein further related that at least 13 communities will hold “Salute to Israel” parades this year. The parades, sponsored by the American Zionist Youth Foundation, will in many instances initiate or climax the communities’ plans for celebration of an Israel Month during May, or May and early June. Among these communities are New York, whose parade will take place June 10; Boston, May 20; Cleveland, May 20; Philadelphia, May 6; Milwaukee, May 6; and Miami on May 20.