Yom Ha’Atzmaut

On May 14, 1948, soon-to-be Prime Minister David Ben Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel, which was recognized by the United States, the Soviet Union, and other countries, though not by the surrounding Arab states. Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) marks the anniversary of the establishment of the modern state of Israel. It is observed on or near the fifth of the Hebrew month of Iyar on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut in Israel is always preceded by Yom HaZikaron-Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers. The message of linking these two days is clear: Israelis owe their independence-the very existence of the state-to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it.

Celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut! This year is more important than ever and so we’ve planned a full day of programing and learning on Tuesday, May 14.
Click here to join in on Zoom (movie screening is in person only)

• 10:30 am – Rabbi Kleinman will be teaching A Modern Maccabee: The Oct. 7 Survival Story of Lahav Deri. This session will include a screening of an episode of the video podcast, “Israel: State of the Nation with Eylon Levy” featuring Nova Festival survivor, Lahav Deri. Following the screening, Rabbi Kleinman will lead a conversation based on topics raised in the podcast including bearing witness, Israeli responses to Oct. 7, the war with Hamas, and Israel’s future.
• 11:45 am – Tuck into a joyous and delicious Israeli-themed lunch. RSVP to Laurie Silverman to take part in this celebratory meal.
• 12:30 pm – Renee Margulies & Kay Sude will be facilitating a special session of our Short Story Discussion Group, in person or on Zoom, with an Israeli author.
• 1:30 pm – Elise Seery, President of Hillel at Bryn Mawr College, will present about the realities of life on campus in a post-October 7 world and the impact this has on Jewish college students.
• 2:30 pm – We will show “A Matter of Size,” an Israeli comedy (yes, comedy!) like nothing you’ve seen before, a hilarious and heart-warming tale about a coming out of a different kind: four overweight guys who learn to love themselves through the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling! When Herzl loses his job as a cook and starts washing dishes in a Japanese restaurant, he discovers the world of Sumo, where large people such as himself are honored and appreciated. Through the restaurant owner Kitano (Togo Igawa), a former Japanese Sumo coach (supposedly hiding from the Yakuza in Israel) , Herzl and his friends fall in love with a sport involving “two fatsos in diapers and girly hairdos”. However, Herzl’s dedication to this demanding men-only sport threatens his budding relationship with Zehava (Irit Kaplan), a plus-size social worker.
• 5:00 pm – You can take action on Yom Ha’Atzmaut and work in MLRT’s Community Garden with the wonderful volunteers of TON! Bring a shovel and gloves if you have. Questions or want to volunteer? Contact Liz Stoller.

Visit mlrt.org/YomHaAtz for links and more details!