Happy 60th Birthday Israel!

1. Plan a trip to Israel. Go with family, friends, or anyone who is interested in seeing and exploring Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other beautiful Israeli cities.
   
   
2. Watch Ari Sandel’s West Bank Story, the 2007 Academy Award Short Film winner about the owners of rival falafel restaurants in the West Bank.
   
   
3. Know a young Jewish adult between the ages of 18-26? Encourage them to register for a free ten-day trip to Israel through Taglit-Birthright Israel.
   
   
4. Show off your dance moves at an Israeli dancing class at the Westside JCC on Olympic Boulevard.
   
   
5. Send special food deliveries to Israeli soldiers or families in Sderot. Click here or here for websites that will deliver food for you.
   
   
6. Eat an Israeli breakfast - traditionally, farmers in Israel start their day with a big meal of Israeli salad, bread, cheese, and dips. Buy ingredients at the grocery store, or make your own.
   
   
7. Subscribe to Ha’aretz, the daily Israeli newspaper that covers the daily happenings in Israel with the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, and other Israeli affairs.
   
   
8. Or, if you’d prefer to receive your Israeli news online, sign up for the Daily Alert, a unique news bulletin email compiled by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs sent to your mailbox every day through The Jewish Federation.
   
   
9. Read a book – your local bookstore or library should offer many books about Israel or written by Israeli authors, such as Amos Oz.
   
   
10. Instead of buying chips or pretzels the next time you’re in the mood for a crunchy treat, enjoy a bag of Bissli, a popular Israeli snack.
    
    
11. Send a letter or e-mail to your elected officials letting them know how crucial support of Israel is as the only democracy in the Middle East. Click here to find contact information for your Senator and Representative.
    
    
12. On May 21, attend Israel at 60 – Honoring Heroes of Israel, a celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, featuring performances by both Jewish and Christian choirs. This event is being produced by the Israel Christian Nexus, in collaboration with the Federation, the Israeli Consul General and local synagogues and churches. For more information on this event, click here.
    
    
13. Enjoy some delicious Israeli chocolate, which you can buy at any kosher market in the Los Angeles area.
    
    
14. Encourage a young Jewish athlete to try out for the 18th World Maccabiah Games, which will be held July 13-23, 2009 in Israel.
    
    
15. Learn a few phrases in Hebrew – besides “Shalom!”
    
    
16. Proudly hang an Israeli flag inside or outside your home to show your support for Israel.
    
    
17. Take advantage of the wonderful programs and entertainment being offered at the Let My People Sing: 60460 Festival. Why not attend…
    
    
18. …Hookahs & Hummus, an alternative Israel Expo for 20-30 year olds, which will be held on May 4….
    
    
19. …Common Threads for Israel – a West Valley tribute at the Calabasas Commons – or Faith Jam for Israel – a multi-religious jam session with nine artists, which will be held on May 8…
    
    
20. …Friday Night Live, with an appearance by the Consul General of Israel and a performance by HaDag Nachash at Sinai Temple on May 9….
    
    
21. … One Shabbat Morning, featuring Craig Taubman, Josh Nelson, and Michelle Citrin at Adat Ari El in Valley Village on May 10….
    
    
22. … the Festival’s main event, Israel60 at the Kodak, featuring performances by Rami Kleinstein, Noa, Idan Raichel, Habanot Nechema, and Keshet Chaim, on the evening of May 10 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood…
    
    
23. …Israel Discovery Day at the Zimmer Children’s Museum, where families with young children can enjoy a day full of exciting activities and entertainment on May 11…
    
    
24. …Lox ‘N Roll for Israel at Art’s Deli, with tons of music and delicious nosh all throughout the afternoon of May 11…
    
    
25. .. or the Kosher Film & Art Showcase, which promises to be an exciting evening of film, art, music, and wine on May 11? You can’t go wrong with any of these events. For more information on the Let My People Sing – 60 4 60 Festival, click here.
    
    
26. If you live in Los Angeles, consider getting involved with or learning more about the Federation’s Tel Aviv/Los Angeles Partnership.
    
    
27. Help boost Israel’s economy - support Israeli merchants by buying Israeli products whenever you can. There are a variety of local markets and stores that sell Israeli products all around Los Angeles.
    
    
28. Grab a couple of friends and hike up the nearest mountain. It’s no Masada, but it’ll do!
    
    
29. Write a letter or email to your state representatives encouraging them to make sure college students receive the appropriate credits they need from their university if they choose to study abroad in Israel.
    
    
30. Enjoy a tasty meal of falafel or schwarma. Homemade or bought at the supermarket, it is truly a delicious treat.
    
    
31. Teach your children a favorite Hebrew song or dance from your own childhood.
    
    
32. The next time you’re in synagogue, say a prayer for the missing and captured Israeli soldiers.
    
    
33. On November 4, the anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, recall the late Prime Minister and the steps he took toward peace between Israelis and Arabs.
    
    
34. Know a wine connoisseur? Treat them to a bottle of wine from one of Israel’s most famous wineries, such as Carmel Winery or Barkan Wine Cellars.
    
    
35. Buy a child a book from Milk & Honey Press, which provides Jewish children with stories about the Jewish cultures and communities that make up the land of Israel.
    
    
36. Take your family out for a delicious meal at one of the many Israeli restaurants in and around Los Angeles, such as Nagila or Aroma Cafe.
    
    
37. If you’re on Facebook, download the Hebrew Word of the Day application and watch your vocabulary expand.
    
    
38. Brush up on your knowledge of Israeli history – re-familiarize yourself with the stories of famous Israeli institutions, sites, and places.
    
    
39. If you can’t get to a real Israeli shuk (market), just pretend. Spend a morning walking around your local farmer’s market. Bonus points if you barter in Hebrew!
    
    
40. Encourage your kids or children you know to connect with an Israeli pen pal, which will give them the opportunity to share stories about the differences and similarities in their lives.
    
    
41. Beautify your home the Israeli way! Buy a piece of art by an Israeli artist.
    
    
42. When you book your trip to Israel, consider flying EL AL. They now offer direct, non-stop flights between L.A. and Tel Aviv.
    
    
43. Celebrate Yom Yerushalayim on June 2 by remembering the special significance of the holy city of Jerusalem and why it is the capital of the Jewish state.
    
    
44. Support Israeli-owned local stores and businesses whenever possible.
    
    
45. Join families and individuals of all ages at Israel – A Mega Celebration, an outdoor celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, featuring art, music, drama, food, speakers and family fun at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University. For more information on this event, click here.
    
    
46. Remember the rebirth of the Jewish people’s homeland by reading Exodus, Leon Uris’s novel about the founding of the State of Israel.
    
    
47. Surprise your family with some homemade hummus! For an easy recipe for this delicious Israeli treat, click here.
    
    
48. And how can you eat hummus without pita? Click here for a delicious way to scoop up your hummus.
    
    
49. Educate yourself about the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict so that you are able to make informed statements and defend inaccuracies if called upon.
    
    
50. Buy some Ahava bath/spa products and give yourself an authentic Dead Sea mud mask treatment.
    
    
51. Download some Israeli music or buy an Israeli CD! Popular Israeli musicians and groups include Idan Raichel, Noa, Habanot Nechema and Subliminal.
    
    
52. Check out one of the hot new Israeli films being screened May 8-15 at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival.
    
    
53. Next time you’re in the market for new of sandals, consider a pair of Naots, an Israeli brand manufactured on Kibbutz Naot Mordechai and sold all over the world.
    
    
54. When you go to Ralphs, pick up a bag of Bamba, the tasty peanut butter-flavored puffed corn snack from Israel.
    
    
55. Send a prayer online to be placed between the stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
    
    
56. On May 7 – Yom Ha’Zikaron (Israeli Memorial Day) – observe a moment of silence in honor of the fallen soldiers who have died serving Israel.
    
    
57. The next day, invite all your family and friends to a party with Israeli food, music, and dancing on May 8 – the day Israel turns 60!
    
    
58. In honor of Israel’s 60th, wear blue and white!
    
    
59. Don’t miss out on Israel’s 60th Independence Day Festival on May 18, featuring non-stop entertainment, carnival rides, 250 booths of vendors and Jewish/Israeli organizations, a variety of ethnic foods, Israeli folk dancing, an Israeli art exhibit, and an official 60th Independence Day ceremony. For more information on the Festival, click here.
    
    
60. Make your 2008 gift to The Jewish Federation! Your gift will help support and fund social services, educational programs, and humanitarian needs in Israel, Los Angeles, and around the world.