A glance at the calendar reveals important dates that are natural rallying points for Jewish communities across the globe. This spring marked the fortieth year of the reunification of Jerusalem. Next year will be Tel Aviv's centennial. And, of course, the heart and soul of shared celebrations will be focused on Israel’s sixtieth year of independence in May 2008.
The Jewish Agency's "Israel@60" team is already enlisting broad-scale community involvement in the festivities, which will extend throughout the year and culminate in the May 2008 celebrations. The guiding principle is to develop educational and creative events and projects that utilize this landmark anniversary as a stepping stone to promoting greater in-depth engagement with Israel in schools and community settings throughout the world.
In June, twelve communities from across North America, which participate in the Makom initiative, gathered with Israel@60 leaders in Washington DC to plan national educational and community activities for the celebration. The Makom communities will serve as a network to convey the special spirit and meaning of Israel's sixtieth year of independence to a wide variety of communities in the United States and Canada.
A key theme of these joint festivities will be sharing Israel's joie de vivre as it is expressed in art, culture and the pleasures of everyday life. The Jewish communities of Philadelphia and Washington D.C. have also invited the Israel@60 staff to guide their own local celebrations.
Starting this coming July, communities, schools, families and individuals will be invited to sign up for "Ride for Israel" bicycling events. Plans are underway to enlist communities from different regions of the world to "Ride for Israel" on the same day, reinforcing a shared spirit of identification with Israel and the Jewish People. Similarly, in spring 2008, bicyclists from around the world will be invited to come to Israel to participate in a 60 km ride with options for shorter tracks. The community rides and the main event in Israel will include special riders' tags, kits and exhibits about Israel's social and ecological challenges.
Other events being planned include a "Jewish Peoplehood" Shabbaton for the Shabbat between Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israel Independence Day in 2008. Participating communities will share reflections on the Jewish nation on this landmark anniversary. Web conferences, publications, musical dialogues and a partnership in the arts are all also underway for schools.
An important aspect of the planning is close consultation with community leaders abroad. In North America, for example, there is a ready enthusiasm for broad-scale festivities. But in the former Soviet Union, there is a natural skepticism of commemorations of national anniversaries. Thoughtful efforts are being invested in assuring that Israel celebrations are meaningful and appropriate to the culture of the region as well as to other regions across the globe.
Remember that Israel's sixtieth birthday will not be a surprise party! Friends throughout the world are welcome to keep posted by visiting http://www.60israel.org.
