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.
For more information, please visit our website at www.celebrateisraelfestival.com.