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Jewish Holiday Spotlight: Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Israel is turning 70 this year! The Birthday of Israel - Israeli Independence Day - is called Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and this year it is being celebrated on April 19. Here are some fun facts about the holiday:
- Even at 70 years old, Israel is very, very young for a country. The USA is considered a young country and it is 243 years old. Examples of older countries are Switzerland, which is 727 years old, and Germany, which is 1054 years old.
- Yom Ha’Atzmaut is a national day of celebration in Israel. Israeli children enjoy a day off from school and a fireworks display that lights up the entire sky. Families go to the park and beach and enjoy barbeques and picnics.
- Unlike the flags of other countries, the flag of Israel is meant to represent Jews living throughout the world, all of whom are considered spiritual citizens of Israel.
- The National Anthem of Israel “Hatikvah” is sung by Jews all over the world as well. The name of the song translates to “The Hope.”
- Every Jewish person is connected to the State of Israel because it is the home of every Jewish person.
Ideas for celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut in San Diego . . .
- Make and eat Israeli foods such as falafel, pita bread, hummus, and Israeli salad.
- Make an Israeli flag for Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Use a piece of white paper, draw a blue stripe at the top and bottom and put a Star of David in the middle.
- Attend the community-wide Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration on Sunday, April 29th at Liberty Station. See more information in this newsletter.
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April 2, 2018
International Children's Book Day
International Children's Book Day encourages reading, and promotes the love of books for children. You can celebrate today by giving a book to each of your kids (even if borrowed from the library). If they are too young to read, spend time reading stories to them. It’s a great and memorable bonding time for you and your child.
April 7, 2018 | 6:00pm
Interfaith Dinner - Temple Adat Shalom
Temple Adat Shalom invites to our dinner table individuals and families living in the San Diego area who immigrated here as refugees, and others from the local interfaith community. We will come together as one community in this celebration of freedom, welcoming those impacted by the global refugee crisis. What better moment to foster new relationships and dialogue between ourselves and others, our children and the children of others? Join us as we celebrate diverse cultures and foods of different regions. Admission: $20 per adult/$8 per child (12 and under). Click here to register.
April 8, 2018 | 1:30 - 3:00pm
Community Holocaust Commemoration
Join us as we remember the victims of the Holocaust, honor its survivors, and teach future generations. The theme is “80 Years: From Kristallnacht to Charlottesville – How History Emboldens Us to Act”. Featuring keynote speaker James McElroy, civil rights attorney and former board chair of the Southern Poverty Law Center. This is a free event open to the public and will be located at the Lawrence Family JCC. Click here for more information
 April 12 - 22, 2018 | 7:00pm
San Diego Jewish Book Fest - JCC
This year we go “outside the book” to bring you a diverse array of authors and eminent thought-leaders from the world of politics, podcasting, publishing, and periodicals. Join us for a celebration of readers and writers, words and ideas designed to capture your imagination, challenge your thinking, inspire new perspective, tantalize taste buds and spark debate. Click here for more information.
April 15, 2018 | 8:30am
ADL San Diego Walk Against Hate - Look for the JFS booth at the Diversity Fair!
The Anti-Defamation League is bringing the community together to promote diversity. Hundreds of students, parents, business leaders and community members will walk with one another to celebrate the values of respect. The Diversity Expo will feature local San Diego organizations highlighting the diverse tapestry of San Diego, sharing their work in the community with attendees. Additionally, we will be awarding over 50 local schools with their banners designating them as “No Place for Hate®”. Click here to register.
April 15, 2018
Good Deeds Day
Good Deeds Day is a global day that unites people from 93 countries to do good deeds for the benefit of others and the planet. Not sure what good deeds you would like to do? If you have high school students, have them check out Motiv for service projects on that day here. For the whole family, you can get signed up through the Good Deeds Day website here. OR, find out how you can volunteer with JFS at secure.jfssd.org.
April 22, 2018
 EarthFair 2018 on Earth Day
The annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. Each year, the EarthFair draws around 60,000 visitors. EarthFair 2018 will feature more than 300 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Children's Activity Area, four entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery arts and crafts show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse. Click here for more information.
April 28 - 29, 2018
ArtWalk Little Italy
For 34 years, Mission Federal ArtWalk has celebrated both visual and performing arts in San Diego. We believe art has the power to connect communities, cultivate new artistic talent and create a better quality of life for all through cultural enrichment. Mission Federal ArtWalk will fill 17 blocks in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. Thousands of attendees come to view and purchase artwork, enjoy the music and dance and participate in interactive art experiences. Click here for more information.pup is an adult, they are still puppies at heart, give them some extra love today.
 April 29, 2018 | 11:00am - 3:00pm
IsraelFest San Diego - Liberty Station - Look for the JFS booth!
Join the San Diego Jewish community in celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israeli Independence Day. In honor of Israel's 70th Jewish Federation of San Diego County is hosting their biggest celebration yet! There will be Israeli dancing, community and artisan booths, beer garden, Krav Maga, Shesh Besh Competition (Backgammon), face painting, henna tattoos, sports zone, inflatable zone and much more. Click here for more information.
Every Sunday - House of Israel – FREE!
Visit this showcase of Israeli culture, history, and innovation in the heart of Balboa Park. Click here for more information.
Sign Up to be a Host Family – Hands of Peace
Hands of Peace, a unique interfaith program developing peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens through the power of dialogue and personal relationships, is accepting applications for host families. The program takes place from July 11 - 30, at Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad. Apply NOW to be a host family by filling out an online application at www.handsofpeace.org. For questions, contact Sarah Heirendt at (559) 999-7066 or sheirendt@handsofpeace.org.
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We’re certain after SJSP Family Camp, your kids will be begging you to send them to summer camp. Jewish day and sleep-away camps offer great opportunities for your kids to become more engaged spiritually and the Jewish community. SJSP is happy to again offer 
