Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
Boulder’s community Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration of Israel’s Independence Day was a big success Thursday night, drawing over a hundred adults and children to Congregation Har HaShem’s south building.
The event, a collaboration organized by Jewish Together -Boulder and including 18 Pomegranates, featured Israeli food, games and crafts for kids of all ages, a GaGa pit, all before a candle-lighting ceremony, singing and prayers, and finally a performance by Robbie Gringras. The crowd featured many Israeli families, a lot of conversational Hebrew, and perhaps a record number of Boulder rabbis in one place at one time.
The ceremony featured Boulder JCC Preschool kids singing a song, followed by the traditional menorah lighting symbolizing the various faces of Israel and the Jewish community. The candle lighters represented Kehilath Aish Kodesh, Congregation Beth Ami, Congregation Bonai Shalom, past and present IDF soldiers, Congregation Har HaShem, Congregation Nevei Kodesh and Congregation Pardes Levavot. Hanan Nayberg, Director of CU Hillel, read a prayer for the State of Israel, and Holli Berman, Cantorial Soloist of Har HaShem, wrapped up the ceremony by leading the assembled crowd in Hatikva.
Here are more pictures of the event:
Thank you to all who helped plan this event and those who shared in the celebration!