On Sunday, May 3, some 6,500 people came to Ravinia Festival in Highland Park to celebrate Israel’s 67th birthday at Israel Solidarity Day (ISD), JUF’s annual celebration in honor of the founding of Israel in 1948. Each year, Israel Solidarity Day brings together the Jewish community to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and to stand together in support of Israel.
“We could not be more excited to be back at Ravinia Festival celebrating Israel’s 67th birthday with thousands of our friends!” said Josh Herz; he and his wife, Jennifer, were the event’s co-chairs. “Over this past year, we have come together as a community in support of Israel during difficult times, so it feels great that today we unite for a day of celebration, great music and family fun!” Herz also addressed “our friends in law enforcement who work tirelessly to protect our institutions and community: Thank you for keeping us safe.”
Bill Silverstein, Chairman of JUF’s Board of Directors, agreed. “Being together is a fantastic statement of solidarity with our beloved Israel,” he said, adding “Nothing makes me more excited than seeing a strong turnout” in support of Israel. He acknowledged the “challenges and issues Israel faces”: he denounced the spreading anti-Semitism in Europe as “violent, viral, and vicious,” dismissed the BDS movement as a mere tactic for “delegitimizing Israel,” and insisted that all remain “vigilant against Iran’s march to nuclear weapons.”
Silverstein expressed his thanks to the attendees for helping JUF in responding to these threats and in “supporting Israel experiences and Jewish continuity and community-building.” He concluded by saying he felt that the community’s “ruach (spirit) is strong” and by leading the crowd in a cheer of “Am Yisrael chai!”
Roey Gilad, Israel’s Consul General to the Midwest, brought greetings on behalf of his country and thanked all the attendees. “This week, in Jerusalem, a new government is being formed,” he noted. “And so we send, from all of us, to the government of Israel, our wishes that all of their many challenges be met successfully.” He said the event “sends a strong message: Israel, you will never walk alone.”
The main event, as always, was the Walk with Israel. This is a three-mile walkathon– one mile for families with smaller children– to raise awareness of, and funds for, Israel. The Walk with Israel this year raised more than $100,000 for JUF’s Israel Children’s Zone, a program in JUF’s our Partnership Region that enriches the lives of disadvantaged students and boosts their educational achievement. Those who raised $100 or more received a $100 JUF Israel Experience Voucher or JUF Mission Voucher.
The musical performances were highly energetic. Earlier in the day, Jewish rockstar Rick Recht led the youngest attendees in song; he was joined by ShireNU, the Jewish a cappella ensemble from Northwestern University, who also sang the American and Israeli anthems. The a cappella YouTube sensations The Maccabeats played early in the day, and Hadag Nahash, a large ensemble from Israel that merges hip-hop and funk, closed out the event. Throughout the day, Israel’s Jamman Drum Circle offered hand-drums to a dozen or more at once, and accompanied the walkers on their route.
“I love coming to Israel Solidarity Day,” said Chicago resident Hillel Morris. “I like seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time. And I realize how much I miss my brother and sister and their families in Israel.”
Throughout the day, events were held to involve participants in Israeli culture. Younger kids made Israel-themed crafts and played an Israeli playground game called “ga ga,” a low-impact version of dodgeball.
Teens were able to attend lessons in krav maga , an Israeli martial art used for self-defense and employed by the Israeli military. JUF’s Jewish Teen Alliance of Chicago (JTAC), comprised of teen representatives from many teen organizations in the community, was on hand to introduce Hadag Nahash and run information booths about their own programs.
In addition to the thousands of participants, 180 volunteers helped out at ISD through JUF’s TOV Volunteer Network. “I really enjoy it,” said returning volunteer Marci Claus, representing the Skokie Lion’s Club. “It’s a great day for a good cause.”
Also in attendance were many public officials, including: Senator Dick Durbin; Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; Congressman Bob Dold; state senators Daniel Biss, and Ira Silverstein; state representatives Lou Lang, and Elaine Nekritz; Mayor of Highland Park Nancy Rotering; and former Congressman Brad Schneider.
More than 50 synagogue and organizational supporters– as well as corporate sponsors Hyatt Regency Chicago and AV Chicago– participated as well.
To share your photos from the day, post them on Facebook and Twitter with #chicagolovesisrael.