To Celebrate 60th, Israel Festival to Rock Into Evening

Israel


7 May 2008 18:26 Africa/Lagos


To Celebrate 60th, Israel Festival to Rock Into Evening

-Gov. Schwarzenegger, Mayor Villaraigosa to Participate in Official Ceremony-

VAN NUYS, Calif., May 7 /PRNewswire/ --

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will lead an impressive list of who's who among local, national and international dignitaries participating in the official ceremony to mark Israel's 60th birthday at the Israel Independence Day Festival at Van Nuys' Woodley Park Sunday, May 18th.




This year, in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary as an independent country, Festival goers can expect to rock well into the evening hours with musical headliners Israeli superstar Shlomi Shabat and hip-hop sensation Subliminal & The Tact Family. It will be an Israel Festival unlike others in recent years as Jews across Los Angeles come together in celebration of perhaps the single most important milestone in modern Jewish history.


Other officials participating in the Festivities include Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; City Councilmembers Jack Weiss, Dennis Zine and Wendy Greuel; Sheriff Lee Baca, Congressman Brad Sherman; and Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Jacob Dayan. Israeli-American entrepreneur Beny Alagem will be presented by Governor Schwarzenegger with the "Cherished Friend of the Israeli and Jewish Community of Los Angeles" Award.


Yoram Gutman of the Israel Independence Day Festival Committee notes that this year's celebration will certainly not be a feast for the ears only. In addition to the musical acts, the Festival will kick off with the LA Country Sheriff's Department Golden Stars Skydiving Team as it arrives, in-style, to delight throngs of Festival-goers while parachuting into the crowd.


Additionally, visitors to the highly secured Festival will indulge in a variety of kosher and ethnic foods and enjoy many other attractions, including carnival rides, a fashion show, petting zoo, the Israeli marketplace, and Cafe Tel Aviv, a rest area created with an authentic Israeli "look and feel." New this year, Festival revelers will participate in Walk the Land of Israel, visiting 15 distinct Israeli "destinations" and receiving a passport stamp at each location redeemable for a prize.


Visitors who stop by The Jewish Federation booth at the Festival, may videotape a message of support for the beleaguered citizens of Sderot, to be delivered later this year. The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance is a sponsor of the Festival.


Hours are from 10 am to 10 pm. Admission is $10 and parking is free.


For more information visit israelfestival.com.


Source: Israel Independence Day Festival

CONTACT: Yoram Gutman, +1-818-757-0123, IsraelFestival@aol.com, for
Israel Independence Day Festival


Web site: http://www.israelfestival.com/


Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

2 Why do the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.

4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.

5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see;

6 they have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but they cannot smell;

7 they have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but they cannot walk;
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,

13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.

14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.

15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man.

17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to silence;

18 it is we who extol the LORD,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD. [a]

Footnotes:

Psalm 115:18 Hebrew: Hallelu Yah