Jewish Unity Day Observation in Boca Raton

By: Michael Demyan

Florida Atlantic University will be hosting the fourth annual Jewish Unity Day event at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The event, which will be presented by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and the Deborah and Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement, is expected to draw thousands of people for processionals, community videos, live music and more.

Rabbi Josh Broide, the director of the Deborah and Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement, said that they are preparing for a great event and a great crowd.

“This year we’re taking it to a whole new level, with members from more than 70 diverse area synagogues, schools, agencies and Jewish organizations participating together in the program’s unprecedented multimedia, multisensory demonstration of Jewish unity,” he said. “We anticipate having more than 2,000 people on hand for this extraordinary experience. With live music, videos, visual demonstrations and much more in place of traditional speeches, they’ll see, hear and feel the unity around them as it radiates out into the community and far beyond.

Broide also said that some extra special plans for those in attendance as well.

“As in previous years’ events, many surprises are being kept under wrap,” he said. “We guarantee this night to remember will leave everyone inspired and motivated to spread the message of Jewish unity to their families, friends and colleagues both nearby and around the world.”

The night will also serve as a celebration of the Jewish Community of South Palm Beach County receiving the Jerusalem Unity Prize, an award headed by the parents of Israeli boys who were kidnapped and murdered in 2014 by terrorists. It was awarded at the home of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on June 6, which caused the community’s Jewish Unity Day event to be pushed back a week.

Avi Fraenkel and Uri Ifrach, two of the three fathers whose sons were killed, will be in attendance of the event as special guests.

“This extraordinary Jewish community has done an astounding job of coming together when we face local, domestic or international challenges,” said Matthew C. Levin, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. “We consistently put aside our differences and unite, for greater purposes, across what are often boundaries of Jewish life. But here in South Palm Beach County, we go much farther, practicing Jewish unity every day like no other community. We do not wait for a tragedy or challenge to unite. We come together simply because we are all one Jewish family, and we are stronger together.”

The Jewish Unity Day celebration is a free event, but those who wish to attend need to register at www.jewishboca.org/unity.