L.A. set to celebrate Israel, Jewish community

Published on April 18, 2013

This year’s Celebrate Israel Independence Day festival will feature plenty of stars when it takes place on April 21, but only one has plans to actually spend time in outer space.

Mazel Tov, Israel; Shalom, Mayor Villaraigosa

By Ryan Torok
Published on April 18, 2013

Photographs of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa play on a large screen. In one photograph, he’s with Israeli President Shimon Peres. In others, he is visiting the Western Wall, walking at a kibbutz and greeting Israeli soldiers.

A Sephardic S.Y. Agnon

By Rabbi Daniel Bouskila
Published on April 18, 2013

In current discourses on modern Israeli literature, the names Oz, Yehoshua and Grossman typically dominate the discussion. But how often do we hear the name Haim Sabato? Who is Sabato, and why is his writing often compared to Nobel Prize-winning Israeli author S.Y. Agnon?

Rereading Leon Uris’ ‘Exodus’ a disquieting experience

Published on April 18, 2013

In preparation for Israel’s 65th birthday, I recently reread Leon Uris’ novel “Exodus” — and found it disturbing and unsettling in many ways.

This week in power: Marathom bombing, French rabbi, Class assignment, Independence Day

By Danny Groner
Published on April 18, 2013

Israel observes Memorial Day with siren, ceremonies

Published on April 15, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a national memorial ceremony for Israel's fallen soldiers that no one will succeed in destroying Israel.

A novel meeting of Israeli, Socal culinary worlds

Published on April 10, 2013

Given the similarities between their respective climates and diverse populations, the food cultures of Israel and Southern California would seem to have much in common. Chefs Assaf Granit and Uri Navon of Jerusalem’s lauded Machneyuda restaurant are about to find out firsthand whether this is so.

Happily, the Independence Day battle is far from over

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on June 13, 2012

The great Independence Day debate: Letter 7

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on June 11, 2012

The great Independence Day debate: Letter 6

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on June 8, 2012

The great Independence Day debate: Letter 5

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on June 4, 2012

The great Independence Day debate: Letter 4

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on June 3, 2012

The great Independence Day debate: Letters 2 and 3‎

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on May 31, 2012

The great Independence Day debate: Letter 1

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on May 29, 2012

Peres sends warning on Israeli Independence Day

Published on April 26, 2012

Israeli President Shimon Peres offered a warning to Israel's enemies on the occasion of Israeli Independence Day.

April 26, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 26, 2012

Guess who’s bringing the Israel Festival back?

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 25, 2012

One adult ticket to this Sunday’s newly relaunched Celebrate Israel Festival in Rancho Park (purchased online in advance): $15. Transforming the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center for the Israel-themed blowout party, the biggest of its kind in the United States: $800,000 and counting.

April 25, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 25, 2012

Egypt’s new politics make Israel ties a target

Published on April 24, 2012

To mark the day Egypt regained control of the Sinai peninsula from Israel, a group of protesters pledged they would this week cover a memorial to Israelis killed in the war with an Egyptian flag bearing the words: "Sinai - the invaders' graveyard."

As Milken School prepares for independence, four administrators plan to depart

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 4, 2012

One year after the plan was first announced, the boards of Milken Community High School and Stephen S. Wise Temple have finalized the terms of the agreement that will sever the ties between the 750-student middle and high school and the large Reform synagogue that established it more than 20 years ago.

24 Hours in Tel Aviv

By Masa Israel Journey
Published on September 20, 2011

Israeli-Palestinian tensions rise in Jerusalem, West Bank as Nakba Day nears

Published on May 13, 2011

Israel Defense Force soldiers and Palestinians clashed on Friday throughout the West Bank, days before planned demonstrations to commemorate the Nakba.

L.A. Consulate’s Yom HaAtzmaut program: Entertainment, pols, supporters

By Tom Tugend
Published on May 11, 2011

Twelve national and international television crews, plus another dozen photographers and print reporters jostled for positions Tuesday evening May 10 to cover the Israel Independence Day celebration hosted by the country’s Consul General Jacob Dayan in Los Angeles.

Chabad rabbis denounce one of their own for lighting torch at Israel Independence Day ceremony

Published on May 10, 2011

A group of Chabad rabbis in Israel this week signed a letter denouncing one of their own for lighting a torch in the State of Israel’s official Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration.

Obama on Israel Independence Day: "legitimate aspirations" will lead to peace

Published on May 10, 2011

The achievement of the Palestinians "legitimate aspirations" will make the Middle East more peaceful and prosperous, President Obama said in his message for Israel's Independence Day. "This is a period of profound change in the Middle East and North Africa, as people across the region courageously pursue the path of dignity and self-governance," Obama said in his message released Monday evening. "Just as I know that Israel will always be one of our closest allies, I believe that the region can be more peaceful and prosperous when its people are able to fulfill their legitimate aspirations.

On Independence Day, a reminder about Gilad Shalit

Published on May 10, 2011

As Israelis celebrated the country's 63rd Independence Day, they had much more on their minds than barbecues and fireworks. The carefully crafted theme of the day, "Looking after one another -- the year of mutual care," raised the hackles of some Israelis who do not believe the state is looking after everyone.

Yom HaAtzmaut special: California on Hebrew [VIDEO]

Published on May 9, 2011

KassemJEW is on the streets of Westwood to talk to Angelenos about Israel Independence Day. Happy Yom Ha'Atzmaut!

Dancing in Rabin Square

Published on May 4, 2011

I have danced in Rabin Square! That’s a major happening in Tel Aviv the night of Yom HaAtzmaut, Independence Day in Israel. I have bounced my noise-making hammer off my fellow dancers all around me. That is also a major happening on Independence Day. I have no idea what the symbolic meaning of those plastic hammers is, but they are everywhere on Independence Day. The day before, I have stood silently by my car in the middle of a busy roadway. For miles and miles I could see the cars stopped and the people standing at attention. They were answering the call of remembrance signaled by the sirens heard all over the State of Israel. We stood to honor all those heroes who had fallen while defending this land of freedom, redemption, and incredible opportunity. Yes, I have danced many times in Rabin Square to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, but this Independence Day, it is different.

Why Israel Matters

Published on May 3, 2011

Zionism is like democracy. Winston Churchill said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the other kinds, and the same can be said, on its 63rd birthday, of the State of Israel. The Zionist project, in 2011, may be shot through with thorny problems, but it is still the best answer to the question it was designed to resolve, the so-called “Jewish Question.”

Stories of Pre-state Israel’s Helpers Now on Film

Published on May 3, 2011

Ruth Stern could have lived a life of privilege and security in her native South Africa. Instead, in 1946, while still in her teens, she and two dozen other South African youths boarded a ship bound for Palestine.

Annual Israel festival at Woodley Park canceled

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on April 12, 2011

A lack of funding has forced organizers to cancel this year’s Israel Independence Day Festival in Woodley Park, a community event that at its height attracted as many as 30,000 people. An immediate donation of around $30,000 could reverse the decision, according to Yoram Gutman, executive director of Israel Independence Day Festival, which runs the event. The festival honoring Israel’s 63rd birthday was scheduled for May 15.

Happy Independence Day

By Adam Wills
Published on May 4, 2006

Kids Page

By Abby Gilad
Published on April 30, 2003

Kids Page