Celebrate Israel Festival attracts diverse support in Los Angeles & across N. America

 

Thousands of people celebrated Israel's Independence Day at the Festival - now managed under the auspices of the Israeli-American Council by director, Adee Drory. Co-founded by her father, the IAC moved the event back to Rancho Park 7-years ago after a number of years in Woodley Park in the San Fernando Valley. Israeli pop-star, Dudu Aharon, united the audience of Israeli-Americans and others in celebration of Jewish self-governance and autonomy. 

Israeli Consul General to Los Angeles, Sam Grundwerg welcomed all friends of Israel to learn more about her history and culture at the event which has become increasingly about Israel and Israeli-Americans than in previous years. (Select Playlist's menu in video's upper-left corner). 

L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz said, "It has been a great pleasure of mine to have brought this (Celebrate Israel Festival) back to Rancho Park during the past 6-years. We love working with the IAC and making this happen."

Teacher Luna Kadori-Shalom and talmid

Watch comments from IAC Board Members Adam Milstein and Miri Shepher, along with cause-benefactor, David Wiener, who conveys the need for the Jewish sanctuary after he survived Nazi slave-laboring in Poland. Playlist clips include activities at the event, as well as commentary from diverse attendees at the educational booths around the exhibition. 

In addition to Judaism teachers, Luna Kaduri-Shalom and Miriam Almog, the playlist above also features comments by a couple of non-Jews who attended the event, as well as Yirmiyahu Burke, born Latino-Christian in Panama, who describes his path to Judaism and Zionism, and (as a 32-year U.S. Air Force active & reservist) his recognition of the need for the Jewish-state's safety and survival in order to ensure the freedom of the peoples of the world.