FAU students celebrate Israel Independence Day

Crowds of students recently came together to sing, dance and celebrate Israel’s 65th birthday at the Traditions Plaza on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus.

Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, Owls for Israel and the Alpha Epsilon Phi Fraternity co-sponsored the Israel Independence Day celebration.

“It is a wonderful day for everyone in the community to come and celebrate Israel Independence Day,” said

Ilene Wohlgemuth, Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach board chairwoman. “For our Jewish students, it is great for them to have away of expressing their appreciation for the state of Israel and of commemorating YomHa’atzmaut.”

The celebration lasted much of the day as students gathered around large poster boards Hillel purchased to help educate those in attendance about Israel’s history. The event featured traditional foods and a disc jockey who played Israeli music.

“Today is a very important day not just for Jews here on campus but also all over the world,” said Nadav

Alko by, a junior at FAU. “This day is important to raise awareness for Israel. This event goes a long way toward building a positive presence for Israel in our community.”

The event commemorated the establishment of the state by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben

Gurion, who in his radio address onMay 14, 1948, declared “the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel to beknownas the state of Israel.”

Hadar Raveh, Hillel recruitment coordinator, said, “I think the students are feeling empowered to be able to speak to one another about the different aspects of the state of Israel. It is very important for students to be able to come together oncampusand support [it].”

STAFF PHOTO BY KIMBERLI DIMARE Gregory Mertz, left, 28, of Boca Raton, listens as Florida Atlantic University student Jesse Rubizovsky, 21, of Coral Springs, explains the regional map of Israel and the Arab world during an event celebrating Israel’s 65th anniversary.