Parade and Festival to Celebrate Israel's 60th Anniversary

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has been invited to serve as parade marshal with Federation board chair Leonard Barrack.

On Sunday, May 18, the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community will show its love for the land and people of Israel by participating in a parade from 16th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway to Eakins Oval, the site of a festival geared to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Jewish homeland through Israeli foods, music, arts and culture.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has been invited to serve as grand marshal of the parade, along with Federation board chair Leonard Barrack. The festivities will kick off at noon with a procession of bands, floats and marchers, including the Quaker City String Band, the Star of David Bikers, the Marching Kazoo Band, police and fire brigades, and Jewish war veterans, as well as representatives from synagogues, Kehillot, schools, JCCs and other organizations.

The parade will end at Eakins Oval, where festival-goers will enjoy entertainment on two stages. A youth ensemble from Federation's Partnership 2000 communities of Netivot and Sedot Negev will be the opening act for the acclaimed Israeli pop-rock group Mashina during the Israeli festival at Eakins Oval. Eight performers, representing "The Youth of Netivot" and "Aviv Mis-Aviv" ("Spring is all Around") from Sedot Negev will sing and share their personal stories of life in southern Israel under the constant threat of missile attacks from Gaza.

The Quaker City String Band will be one of many participants in the Israel 60 parade.

Mashina won the "2005 DVD of the Year" recognition at the Israel Music Awards. The group's distinctive guitar sound draws many comparisons to the popular group U2 from Dublin, Ireland -- albeit with a unique Middle Eastern edge. The band was active from 1984 to 1995, disbanded, then reformed in 2003. It's produced 13 albums and currently performing in concert around the world.

Nashirah, the chorale in residence at the Gershman Y, is also on the program. Composed of singers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, it is the only auditioned community-based chorale in the area that performs exclusively Jewish and Jewish-themed music.

Israeli singer Tzvia Wexler will perform the United States and Israeli national anthems.

Another highlight of the afternoon will be the premier performance by cast members of "A State Is Born: Israel@60," a professionally directed, choreographed and produced musical featuring members of Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen. The synagogue received a grant from Federation to develop this original work, which will be staged at the synagogue on May 31 and June 1.

Singer and guitarist Andi Joseph, aka "the Musical Mommy," will perform on the festival's children's stage. Since 1991, this preschool music specialist and performer has entertained at libraries, preschools, synagogues, camps, area museums and community festivals. She has also produced several Jewish and secular music CDs.

Members of the popular Israeli rock group Mashina will perform.

Lisa Appel, owner of Miss Lisa, Inc., a Philadelphia-based interactive acrobatic company that combines circus arts, dance and juggling, will also perform on the children's stage. In addition to performing, Miss Lisa, Inc. is also dedicated to preserving the art of acrobatics through its school for adult acrobatics. It is Philadelphia's only program for adults interested in learning tumbling and contortion.

To whet visitors' appetites for travel to Israel, festival planners have recreated several popular tourist destinations. All are encouraged to relax at a Tel Aviv cafe and beach, shop at the Jerusalem shuk, refresh themselves at the Ein Gedi spa, and pet and ride animals at a kibbutz.

You can also take pride in Israel's accomplishments at the "Best of Israel" tent, watch an Israeli movie, and enjoy native dance. There will also be plenty to eat in the way of Middle Eastern treats.

All activities will be held, rain or shine, from noon until 5 p.m.

To learn more, call Beth Razin at 215-832-0536 or e-mail: brazin@philafederation.org. Visit Federation's Web site at: www.jewishphilly.org/israel60 for updated listings of parade and festival participants.