Atlanta Events to Celebrate Israel's 70th

The following events are some of the ways Jewish Atlanta is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the modern state of Israel’s birth. Look for more events at the Atlanta Jewish Connector (www.atlantajewishconnector.com), and send items for inclusion to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13

Scholars in residence. Rabbi Hershel Schachter spends Shabbat at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, as part of the Seventy for 70 series organized by the Religious Zionists of America and World Mizrachi, while the same series sends Rabbi Jeffrey Saks to Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road. Free; info@bethjacobatlanta.org or 404-633-0551 for Beth Jacob details and www.yith.org/event/scholar-in-residence-rabbi-jeffrey-saks.html for Young Israel info.

MONDAY, APRIL 16

Choral concert. Zimria Festivale Atlanta and friends perform in commemoration of Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron and in celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut at 7:30 p.m. at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead. Tickets are $10; www.choralfoundation.org or 913-403-9223.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18

Hebrew talk. University of Georgia linguistics professor Jared Klein speaks about the history and distinguishing features of the Hebrew language at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Morningside. Free; shearithisrael.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19

Frankly Speaking. Sherry Frank leads NCJW Atlanta’s monthly discussion of current events at noon at 6303 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. Free (bring your own lunch); RSVP to christineh@ncjwatlanta.org by April 18.

Picnic. Young Israel of Toco Hills holds its annual Yom HaAtzmaut picnic at 5 p.m. at Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur. Free; www.yith.org or 404-315-1417.

JNF jubilee. Comedian Sarge entertains at Jewish National Fund’s gala celebration for Israel at the Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead, with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., a champagne celebration at 6:45, the main program at 7:45 and a JNFuture after-party at 9. Tickets are $118, $180 for patrons or $36 for JNFuture members; bit.ly/2GgioyG or 404-236-8990, ext. 851.

Stories and music. Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, celebrates Israel’s birthday with funny stories and musical acts with its Beit Café at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18; RSVP by April 15 at templeemanuelatlanta.org/calendar/temple-emanu-el-beit-cafe.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

Infant party. PJ Baby and the Alefbet Preschool at Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, invite babies up to 1 year old and their caregivers to a celebration of Israel’s birthday at 10:30 a.m. Free; RSVP at alefbetpreschool.com/celebrate-israels-70th-birthday or to leahpjbaby@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

Family celebration. PJ Library and Israel Bonds hold an Independence Day celebration with food, music and crafts from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ocee Park pavilion, 10900 Buice Road, Johns Creek. Free (RSVP by April 19); www.facebook.com/events/851778421690255 or 404-857-1066.

MONDAY, APRIL 23

Women at the Wall. Israel Religious Action Center Director Anat Hoffman speaks about the struggles for religious rights for women at the Western Wall at 7 p.m. at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown. Free; www.the-temple.org or 404-873-1731.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26

Food trucks. Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut with the Marcus JCC, including kosher food, Israeli dancing, live music, performances by day school students, games and crafts, at Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission; www.atlantajcc.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

Israel@70 Atlanta. Jewish Atlanta holds a community celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, exhibits, activities, food, and music from performers including the Billy Jonas Band, Joanie Leeds and Taking the Time at Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, 500 10th St., Midtown. Admission is $10 per or $18 per family in advance, $18 or $25 at the door; jewishatlanta.org/israel70.

BeltLine bar crawl. Birthright Israel alumni have brunch at 11:30 a.m. at Mariposa Lofts, 100 Montag Circle, Inman Park, and stop at a few bars on the way to the community celebration at Park Tavern. Tickets are $36, including brunch, four drinks and Israel@70 Atlanta admission; jewishatlanta.org/birthright-bar-crawl or 678-222-3746.

THURSDAY, MAY 3

Israeli comedy. Israeli and former Atlantan Benji Lovitt presents the comedy show “What War Zone,” about the immigrant experience in Israel and the differences between Diaspora and Israeli Jews, at 7:30 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Tickets are $18 for JCC members, $24 for others; bit.ly/2HhUDe9 or 678-812-3798.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Scholar in residence. Avraham Infeld, who spoke to Federation’s leadership mission in Israel this winter, spends Shabbat at Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Morningside. Details to come at shearithisrael.com.

MONDAY, MAY 14

FIDF gala. Friends of the IDF honors the men and women who have defended Israel for 70 years with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and a dinner program at 7 featuring Rep. Brian Mast at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, 3315 Peachtree Road. Admission is $250 ($118 for ages 35 and under); fidfse.wixsite.com/atl70/event-details.

TUESDAY, JUNE 5

Perspectives on Israel. Journalist Alon Ben David speaks about Israel at 70 in an Israel Bonds-sponsored appearance at 7 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; www.templesinaiatlanta.org/event/israel-bonds-speaker.html.