Celebrate Israel Festival in L.A. brings civic and communal interests together

Israel supporters, both Jew and Gentile, large and small, came out to celebrate a spectacular, 15,000+ person, community-wide festival commemorating Israel's Independence Day.  The crowd was treated to ethnic Israeli foods (including Sadaf Brand), world music, drum circles, folk dancing and a 200-vendor village which showcased Israeli artwork, sculptures, jewelry, and Judaica gifts.

Mirror-floored, Star of David sculpture (photo:Orly Halevy)

One of America's pre-eminent Israeli Independence gatherings, now called the Celebrate Israel Festival returned after a break last year from Woodley Park - back to its original venue on the Westside of Los Angeles. The event began with a a 1.5-mile free “Salute to Israel Walk” presented by StandWithUs. Hundreds walked from Rancho Park to the Museum of Tolerance and back to show solidarity with the State of Israel. A salute to Israel drive-by heralded the start of the walk with an automobile caravan of custom designed, 9/11 Tribute-“Fueled by the Fallen.”

Saville Katz and Scott Jacobs drew-out the stories from the fair

JooTube.TV chronicled some of the goings-on at the Fest. Elected officials (and candidates) participated in a ceremony, presenting certificates to the Israeli Leadership Coalition. JooTube drew-out some luminaries at the Festival. Video segments:

1. Michael Medved, author and radio host, discussing how America's Israel policy is crucial to America maintaining global stability against aggressive regimes;
2. The Fire Chief of the metropolitan Jerusalem region, Shmuel Friedman on sharing intelligence;
3. Actor, Shmuel Livne impersonates Israel's founding father, David Ben Gurion and discusses the man;
4. Artist and former IDF soldier, Tomer Peretz, presented "The Unbreakable Project" exhibit depicting the struggle of the Israeli soldier against an implacable, Islamist enemy;
5. Jewish rap-star, Kosher Dillz, raps about the Arab "Occupation" of historic Jewish lands;
6. Michael Medved is asked whether he feels that Israel, threatened by Iranian nuclear weaponizing, should trust Barack Obama's campaign promise to stop Iran so that Israel doesn't have to.

(Advance through the segments by clicking the button to the right of the Play button).

Singer, Eyal Golan (Photo: Orly Halevy)

Update: Israeli pop-singer, Eyal Golan headlined the entertainment. See the crowd enjoying the sing and dance-along.

Israeli-Americans demonstrate love of G-d and love of Zion (photo Orly Halevy)

See if you can recognize yourself or someone you know among the audience of thousands enjoying the concert.

(Advance through the segments by clicking the button to the right of the Play button).
Eyal Golan performed a show which included both secular and religious themed songs.