Support for Israel and Jewish solidarity are the themes of Monmouth-Ocean Celebrates Israel, a day-long festival on Sunday, May 6, at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

The celebration, now in its second year, has been organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, which joined the project this year. Last year's event drew more than 1,000 people.

Events include a 5.9k Walk for Israel, which will raise money for reconstruction in the country's North, according to Ann Goldman, the Monmouth federation's director of planning and allocations and one of the event chairs.

The Jewish-Israeli festival will include a host of activities for children and adults.

"The day is designed to promote the spirit of Israel through a community-wide event," said Goldman. "The Jewish community is still very concerned about Israel, especially since what took place in northern Israel last year. That's why we chose to donate the money we raise from the walk to projects that are helping to rebuild in the North."

However, the festival has been designed to be uplifting and fun, Goldman added. The celebration will offer a variety of events for all age groups. Among the activities will be interactive inflatable games for children and young adults, and more than 15 vendors from the Monmouth County area, as well as vendors from Israel, New York, and Philadelphia, will display items of Judaica, jewelry, T-shirts, and Dead Sea cosmetics.

In addition, Israeli folk dancers will display their talents, and a youth choir, composed of children from Monmouth and Ocean synagogues, will perform under the guidance of Cantor Jacqueline Shuchat-Marx of Temple Rodeph Torah in Marlboro.

There will also be plenty of Israeli delicacies and other kosher food and snacks available for anyone who works up an appetite.

Along with Goldman, event chairs Mike Beller of Little Silver, Sheri Tarrab of Holmdel, Eli Kramer of Manalapan, and Lauren Varod and Shelley Feingold of Marlboro have been working on the project since last summer. The success of last year's celebration was a motivating force, Goldman said.

"Like last year, the federation wanted to create a vehicle that would bring as many Jews together as possible," Goldman said. "We think this celebration is that vehicle. This year, the Ocean County federation will help make it a larger-scale event. As a result, Jews from both Monmouth County and Ocean County will be able to experience the scope and size of the Jewish community."

And like last year, the day will celebrate the spirit of Israel and Jewish heritage, added Tarrab.

"We're sure this year's celebration will attract people from temples and synagogues from the two counties and other areas," she said, "but wherever we live, we come together under the umbrella of Judaism. That's a beautiful concept."

Additional information about the event is available from Goldman, at 732-531-6200.

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