ANT KATZ

The SA Zionist Fed have outdone themselves with the planning of Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron events this year – even adding a fourth event for the first time for the 20 to 35-year-olds.

On Tuesday 6 May, which falls perfectly on the night before the special public holiday for the 7 May election, the older youngsters will be partying the night away at Hush Club in Rosebank.

The event will start before sunset with cocktails and is planned to continue late into the night and the early hours of Wednesday with a host of celebrity guest DJs such Harael Slakow and DJ Wags. The event is being held in conjunction with Black Sugar Events and Thirst.

Pre-booking is essential – mail to gen@blacksugarevents.co.za.

“This is going to be the rave of the year,” says the Fed’s Bev Goldman, “and those who miss it will regret having done so for a very long time!”

Yom Hazikaron

A solemn celebration, Yom Hazikaron will be commemorated on Sunday night 4 May. Its full name is “Yom Hazikaron l’Chalalei Ma’arachot Yisrael v’l’Nifgaei Peulot Ha’eivah” which translates into English as: “Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism” and has become Israel’s official Memorial Day since the national observance was enacted into law in 1963.

While Yom Hazikaron has been traditionally dedicated to fallen soldiers, commemoration has now been extended to civilian victims of political violence, Palestinian political violence, and terrorism in general.

The Fed’s international speaker for Yom Hazikaron knows only too well the pain of losing loved ones. Expat South African, Dr Daniel Weiler, lost two younger brothers in the line of duty over just three years, an event that could not but leave its mark on him and his family. MORE ON DR WEILER

Gold Reef day for the kids

The Fed will be celebrating Israel’s 66th anniversary with the traditional kids’ day at Gold Reef City.

On Tuesday 6th May, again back by popular demand, we are hosting a day of great excitement for the younger members of our community, at Gold Reef City. Rides galore; food stores galore; Israeli music; entertainers; and infectious enthusiasm which will enable all the young participants to celebrate with Israel and share in the joy of her anniversary.

For further information contact lisa@beyachad.co.za or call lisa directly on 011 645-2510.

Twist to the old ‘concert’ theme

The SAZF has added a new twist to their traditional concert aspect of the celebration of Israel’s statehood 66 years ago. This year they have decided to hold a luxurious dinner and cabaret with top Israeli entertainers. Seats are limited, though, so book early…

On Monday night, 5 May, they will be holding a unique event: a “Toast to Israel, – which, says Bev Goldman, “is a celebratory and delicious dinner during which we will raise our glasses and toast this amazing, innovative and inspirational little country.

Hananel Edri, one of Israel’s best known and most sophisticated singers and entertainers, who has featured many times in our previous concerts, is being brought back by popular demand. Together with a live band, he will be the catalyst for getting the audience into the right spirit of the celebration, singing well-known and much-loved songs about Israel with mass audience participation.

In addition to Hananel, we are presenting for the first time on the SA stage the hilarious rabbi-turned-comedian David Kilimnick, dubbed Israel’s “father of Anglo comedy” by the Jerusalem Post, who is leading the new pack of stand-up comics in Israel. At his ‘Off The Wall Comedy Basement’ in Jerusalem (the first of its kind), Kilimnick has been offering up penetrating observations of life in his turbulent adopted country. Tourists and native Israelis alike have been flocking to his cosy, intimate club and raving about his unique ability to transform the daily chaos and aggravation of Israeli life into an evening full of laughter.

His humour is universal and he takes his audience on a “tour of funny” through the Holy Land. And what better tonic for us all than that!

Change of pace

for Zionists

Says Bev: “Taking the focus off the enormous problems Israel is facing with the growing BDS campaign, the nuclear threats emanating from Iran, and the stalled peace process, will allow the SAZF the chance to offer the community a real “taste of Israel”.

Nationally the media is saturated with anti-Israel venom and invective, not helped by the recent Israel Apartheid Week exhibitions on campuses around the country; but celebrations such as these, which will show a very different and fascinating canvas of the country, will help enormously to change perceptions of community members and assure them that despite the antagonism and abuse that seem to colour all media coverage of Israel, the other side, Israel beyond the conflict, shows a country that has become an international icon of development, achievement and unequalled success.”

RELATED READS & BOOKING DETAILS ON SAJR.CO.ZA

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