The Oliel Project, a band of brothers from Sderot, rocked the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations at the Union Y and the JCC of Central New Jersey.
Photos by Elaine Durbach
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May 7, 2009
Unlike in Israel, where Yom Hazikaron, the national day of memorializing, is observed up until the evening of Yom Ha’atzmaut, the anniversary of the state’s founding, in the Central community there was a breathing space between community gatherings.
While there had been the community-wide Yom Hazikaron program at the YM-YWHA of Union County on April 27, Israel’s 61st birthday was celebrated there on April 29 and at the JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains the following day.
Top billing at both events went to the Oliel Project, a rock band of brothers — Or, Muti, and Niv Oliel from the Israeli border town of Sderot.
JEC music teacher Chana Solomon readies her choir to perform at the Yom Ha’atzmaut event at the Union Y.
Their mission was to prove that the rocket bombardment from Gaza hasn’t conquered the creative dynamism of the population — and they succeeded. They rocked the Y — to the glee of the younger audience members, and last Thursday shook the rafters of the JCC gym with their very special blend of pop and Israeli rhythms. At both venues, their version of “Hava Nagila” put a totally new punch into the perennial favorite.
Brothers Gabie, left, and Elan Besterman take a look at a book about Israel offered for sale by Judaica Central, which had a stall at the event and has a permanent store at the JCC.
At the Y, other highlights included a colorful performance of Israeli folk dances by teens from Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim of Cranford, led by the temple’s religious school director Tamara Ruben, and then a roster of songs sung by the elementary school choir of the Jewish Educational Center, led by music teacher Chana Solomon. All this happened with a backdrop of slides of Israel taken by Steve Karp, executive director of the JEC in Elizabeth.
At the JCC, as at the Y, children could busy themselves all evening making Israeli crafts before going on to a dinner of kosher pizza. They made miniature Israeli flags, among other things, and many emerged with their faces adorned with exotic designs.
The Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey cosponsored both events. The evening in Union was cosponsored by the Y and the Israeli Club of Springfield, with help from Sam and Gladys Halpern and Sol and Clara Kramer. The JCC event was cosponsored with Jerusalem Pizza and the Israel Support Committee of Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim, and Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah.
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