On May 18, thousands of people came together in celebration of a key milestone in modern Jewish history. Despite the heat, Jews from all over Los Angeles packed Woodley Park in Van Nuys, eating, dancing, singing as they celebrated Israel’s 60th.

Festival visitors indulged in delicious kosher and ethnic treats like schwarma, falafel, and kabob as they enjoyed the festival’s many attractions, including carnival rides, a petting zoo, a fashion show, an Israeli-style marketplace, and Café Tel Aviv, a rest area that was created to resemble an authentic Israeli café. Some guests also participated in Walk the Land of Israel, visiting 15 distinct Israeli “destinations” and receiving a passport stamp at each location, ultimately redeeming their complete collection of stamps for a prize.

Guests at the festival were also fortunate enough to see electrifying performances by Israeli musical sensations Shlomi Shabat and hip-hop sensation Subliminal & The Tact Family. Organizer Yoram Gutman of the Israel Independence Day Festival Committee, which produces the Festival, noted that this year’s celebration was a feast for all the senses. In addition to the musical acts, the Festival also included a performance by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Golden Stars Skydiving Team, which delighted the crowds with their daring parachuting moves.

Visitors who stopped by The Jewish Federation booth were given the opportunity to tape a message of support for the beleaguered citizens of Sderot, to be delivered later this year during one of several Federation missions to Israel. Additionally, those who stopped by the Federation’s Birthright Israel booth learned about how they or someone they know could receive a free ten-day trip to Israel through Taglit-Birthright Israel.

An impressive list of local, national, and international dignitaries participated in the official ceremony marking Israel’s 60th, including California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Others in attendance included Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; City Councilmembers Jack Weiss, Dennis Zine, and Wendy Greuel; Sheriff Lee Baca; Congressman Brad Sherman; and Consul General of Israel Jacob Dayan. At the ceremony, which was officiated by Dennis Prager, Governor Schwarzenegger presented Israeli-American entrepreneur Beny Alagem with the Cherished Friend of the Israeli and Jewish Community of Los Angeles Award.

For more information on the Israel Festival, please contact Jonathan Boyer at (818) 464-3206 or JBoyer@JewishLA.org.