Israel Independence Day Celebrations in West L.A. Sunday

Thursday, April 26 is officially Israel’s 64th anniversary. Israel has a six-day working week from Sunday through Friday, and for Jews who keep the Sabbath, Saturday is a day where there is no opportunity to travel – since driving is forbidden.

Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day, therefore, is the only official secular holiday in the country. Because it doesn’t fall on the Sabbath, all Jews are free to travel – and they do. The standard celebration in Israel is to jump in your car or walk to the nearest park or friend’s back yard and indulge in a mangal – barbecue. It’s a huge, festive day, with blue and white Israeli flags waving, and the smell of cook outs wafting across the country.

In Los Angeles, the Israeli Consulate, together with the City of Los Angeles usually hosts a huge festival every year in Woodley Park. However, due to budget cuts in the city, last year there was no festival.

This year, the Israeli Leadership Council together with Debbie and Naty Saidoff, StandWithUs, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, the Jewish National Fund, Jewish Life Television, Mati Israeli Community Center and Hidbaroot Los Angeles, raised the funds to host an event at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center at 2551 Motor Avenue this Sun. April 29 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The day will begin at 8:30am with a 1.5-mile free “Salute to Israel Walk” presented by StandWithUs. Participants will walk 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 will kick off the official ceremony on the main stage at 1 p.m. and attending dignitaries will include State Assemblyman Mike Feuer, Council General of Israel David Seigel, Councilman Paul Koretz, L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, Councilman Dennis P. Zine, L.A. Controller Zev Yaroslavsky, City Controller Wendy Gruel, and Congressman Brad Sherman.

Israeli singing star Eyal Golan will headline the Festival’s five stages with performances throughout the day including folk dancing and DJ Dance Party. 

The pinnacle of the festival, the “Positively Israel,” pavilion will showcase Israel’s leading innovations in technology; including a five-foot art installation and tents featuring Spirituality, Judaism and a Genealogy database to store family history.  

There will be plenty of activities for children in the KIDZONE amusement park, and there will be a plethora of Israeli foods to sample at Café Tel Aviv, along with world music, drum circles, folk dancing and a 200-vendor village showcasing Israeli artwork, paintings, sculptures, fine arts, jewelry and Judaica gifts.

Pre-purchased discount tickets are available online at $9 for children and $15 for adults. Door prices are $12 for children and $19 for adults. Children under 3 enter for free. Family packs are available online only.

There will also be designated parking structures. Registration, directions, parking, and pre-purchased tickets are available at www.celebrateisraelfestival.com 

To participate in the “Salute to Israel” walk, click on the “walk” tab. The walk is free, but tickets must be purchased for the festival beginning at 10 a.m.