Thousands Expected for FREE Community-wide Israel Fest 65 at Mizner on May 19
Thousands of South Palm Beach County residents of all ages will once again stand together in solidarity and spirit, hear top quality live music amid flags and falafel, and share in a joyous, free community-wide celebration of the State of Israel. Headlined by renowned Jewish a cappella phenomenon the Maccabeats and the Boca Raton Symphonia, theruach (spirit) from Israel Fest 65 will radiate from Mizner Park Amphitheater in Downtown Boca Raton on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Everyone is invited!
Taking the stage at 4:45 pm, the Maccabeats are sure to rouse the crowd as always. Using nothing more than their unaccompanied voices and “a little Jewish humor,” they delight and inspire audiences of all backgrounds and ages. Touring worldwide, these unique, talented young men have a huge fanbase with more than 10 million views on Youtube and two successful albums.
Changing genres, onstage at 6:30 pm, The Boca Raton Symphonia’s selections will include Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes, brass quintet/percussion pieces, and selections from Fiddler on the Roof.
The afternoon will kick off with children’s activities at 3:30 pm – including a petting zoo and field games, along with arts & crafts from PJ Library®. Weinbaum Yeshiva High School band will offer selections at 4:00 pm. The formal program begins onstage at 4:30, with two offerings from a combined synagogue religious school “community chorus” and recognition of Honorary Israel Fest 65 Chair Burt Aaronson.
Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Aaronson was a longtime, instrumental supporter of the annual community-wide Israel celebration. Thousands of people have been drawn to the previous years’ powerful, joyous Israel celebrations provided by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and its Jewish Community Relations Council.
Onstage between the two main acts, a Community Program will include Chaim Shacham, Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico, and Pastor Tye Riter of Calvary Chapel West Boca. Local children will take the stage, with a traditional Daglanut Israeli flag routine from Hillel Day School and Israeli folk dancing from Donna Klein Jewish Academy.
Kosher falafel, hot dogs, ice cream, beverages and more will be available for purchase. Israeli arts and crafts will be on display for shopping. Browsers will also find information and materials about Jewish community resources.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the whole community together to celebrate Israel’s remarkable 65th anniversary of statehood,” said Matthew C. Levin, the Federation’s President & CEO. “Together we’ll remember the miracle of this pioneering nation, and pay tribute to its phenomenal, rapid transformation into today’s creative, dynamic, culturally vibrant State of Israel at the cutting edge of technology, research and entrepreneurship. We’re proud of our Federation’s longstanding efforts, with international partners Jewish Agency for Israel and American Joint Distribution Committee, to support and sustain our homeland where Jewish people from all over the world continue to seek prosperity and peace.”
Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and strollers are welcome, with limited seating set up. The event will take place rain or shine. Complimentary self-parking will be available, with early arrival recommended. More information is posted at www.jewishboca.org/israelfest.
