SPECTACULAR 15,000-PERSON CELEBRATION TOOK PLACE ON APRIL 29TH AT CHEVIOT HILLS RECREATION CENTER TO CELEBRATE ISRAEL’S 64TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
The day started with a 1.5-mile “Salute to Israel Walk” escorted by the “9/11 Tribute Cars” at 8:30am. 5 stages with performances throughout the day; “Positively Israel” pavilion showcased Israel’s innovations in technology; massive 5-foot art installations; official ceremony with local and state dignitaries took place at 1:00PM hosted by Michael Medved of KRLA kicked off by the skydiving team. Kids Amusement park, Vendors, Café Tel Aviv
WOODLAND HILLS, CA (April 29, 2012) – Thousands attended the highly anticipated, community-wide “Celebrate Israel Festival” sponsored by the Israeli Leadership Council (ILC) on April 29, from 10:00am-6:00pm. The event was held at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave. in Los Angeles. www.celebrateisraelfestival.com
The day began at 8:30am with a 1.5-mile free “Salute to Israel Walk” presented by StandWithUs. Thousands walked from the park to the Museum of Tolerance and back to show solidarity with the State of Israel. A salute to Israel drive-by will herald the start of the walk with the 9/11 Tribute Cars “Fueled by the Fallen.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Golden Stars Skydiving Team who wee to kick off the official ceremony on the main stage at 1:00PM showed up a bit late due to winds, but non-the-less, received a welcoming audience with cheers and applause.
Dignitaries include: State Assemblyman Mike Feuer, Council General of Israel David Seigel, Councilman Paul Koretz, LA County Sheriff Leroy Baca, Councilman Dennis P. Zine, LA Controller Zev Yaroslavsky, City Controller Wendy Gruel, Congressman Brad Sherman, Councilmember Jan Perry, Councilman Rosendahl, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, among others including Festival Chair Debby and Naty Saidoff and ILC chair Shawn Evenhaim, President of the Jewish Federation Jay Sanderson amongst others. . Syndicated talk show host Michael Medved will host.
Israeli star Eyal Golan toplined the Festival’s 5 stages with performances throughout the day including folk dancing and DJ Dance Party.
The pinnacle of the festival, “Positively Israel,” pavilion wshowcased the small state’s leading innovations in technology; a massive 5-foot art installation and tents featuring Spirituality, Judaism and a Genealogy database to store the family history. Kids frolicked in the KIDZONE Amusement park and everyone enjoyed Café Tel Aviv with ethnic Israeli foods, world music, drum circles, folk dancing and a 200vendor village showcasing Israeli artwork, paintings, sculptures, fine arts, jewelry, Judaica gifts. and much more.
A noted success for this year’s festival was parking logistics. With the huge support and help of building owners in Century City who gave festival attendees discounted parking rates (CBRE 2000 Ave. of the Stars, Ace Parking 2121 Ave of the Stars, Standard Parking Century Park West Garage and Constellation Place Garage, AMPCO 9911 W. Pico Blvd) and Fox Studios who were gracious to give festival attendees access to park on their highly secured lots, everyone who attended had a place to park.
Co-sponsors of the “Celebrate Israel Festival” include: Debbie and Naty Saidoff ,StandWithUs, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, Jewish National Fund, Jewish Life Television, Mati Israel Community Center and Hidbaroot Los Angeles.
Israel’s myriad technological innovations were showcased at the “Positively Israel” Pavilion, an interactive space spearheaded by Jewish National Fund (JNF). It highlights imaging, renewable energy and energy conservation, sustainable agriculture, water management, medical technology advancement, integrated photo swapping applications, digital product placement, and the newest in “windows” car technology, to name a few.
One of the Festival’s goals was to engage the community through art. The Youth Art Expo features 5-foot art pieces by the four finalists from My Israel Art Installation competition depicting their interpretation of the Star of David and the Menorah. Art installations were funded by the ILC. The Youth Art Expo is an initiative of the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles to engage young artists.
The Digital Jewish Genealogy Database is presented by the Museum of the Jewish People, (Beit Hatzfutzot). A high-tech, multi-faceted database that gave attendees the opportunity to enter their family’s history via iPads and laptops where the data was collected and will be preserved for generations to come.
The KIDZONE included an amusement park with rides for all ages, free arts and crafts area, kids stage with live entertainment all day, face painting, stilt walkers, a petting zoo, juggling acts and more. Spiritualism and Judaism tent is offered by Hidabroot Los Angeles with lectures and information from renowned Rabbis, a stand-up comedian and kosher food dedicated to Orthodox guests.
With the huge success of this year’s event, people are already marking their calendar for next year’s celebration on April 21, 2013. For More information festival@israelileadership.org or www.celebrateisraelfestival.com