2On May 7 and 8, 2008, the State of Israel will celebrate its 60th anniversary. While this is the actual date of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, many Jewish communities across the world have been using this entire year to educate members about Israel and to celebrate the nation's accomplishments. The following are some ways that you too can celebrate this important milestone.Information about Israeli trips and products
Access to a Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration
- Visit Israel. Reading and learning about Israel is one thing; seeing it for yourself is something else entirely. If you would like to travel with a group, a number of synagogues and organizations are hosting special anniversary trips.Support the State of Israel. Even if you can't travel to Israel yourself, you can still support the state in a number of ways. These ways include buying Israeli products, making donations to Israeli organizations and/or becoming politically active.Become educated, or educate others. No matter what your background, there is always something more you might learn about some aspect of Israel, whether about it's history, it's customs, or the current political situation. If you are a Jewish educator, this is certainly an opportunity to focus on Israel in your classrooms (and if you are a layperson, you might still educate others informally).Attend Yom Ha'atzmaut services or celebrations. Even outside of the State of Israel, many Jewish communities host celebrations and religious services on Yom Ha'atzmaut, the actual anniversary of Israel's independence, which is now a formal Jewish holiday. Find out about such celebrations in your area and participate in them whole-heartedly.
