Join Us To Celebrate Israel's 60th Birthday
Thursday, May 8th @ the Weinstein JCC - Free and open to the public.
The schedule for this special community-wide Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration is as follows:
 
Israeli vendors in the JCC lobby ­ 9am ­- 9pm
Israeli dinner available for purchase ­ 4:30pm - ­ 6:30pm
Children's craft activities ­ 5pm -­ 6pm
Program and Concert ­ 6:30pm - ­ 7:30pm

Celebrate Israeli Independence day with an incredible evening of events that will include food, crafts, Israeli vendors, and a concert featuring acclaimed Jewish music performer Sheldon Low. Sheldon's performance will feature songs in Hebrew and English and children from the Richmond area will join him on stage to sing several of his wonderful songs.

Countdown to Israel at 60

Israel Emergency Campaign

60 Reasons to Celebrate With Israel

There are endless reasons to be proud of Israel: Culture, science, sport, technology, Jewish life, nature, and innovation ­ to name a few. Here are 60 more reasons to celebrate Israel's 60 years of independence:

1. Israel is the only Jewish country in the world.
2. Life expectancy in Israel is one of the highest in the world: 82.2 years for women and 78.5 years for men.
3. Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation in the world.
4. The Jewish population in Israel consists 40% of world Jewry.
5. Israel has more museums per capita than any other country.
6. Israeli historian, UCLA professor, Saul Friedlander won Pulitzer Prize for 2008 for his book on history of Jews in Hitlerąs Germany.
7. Israel has highest number of university degrees per capita in the world.
8. Israel is one of 8 countries in the world that have the technological ability to build and launch its own satellites.
9. Israel has the second highest number of startup companies in the world, ranking directly under the U.S.
10. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth, at about 1200 ft below sea level.

read more

RJCL Donates Books to Students at Swansboro

This year, the Richmond Jewish Coalition for Literacy (RJCL) decided to use program funds that would have been spent on catering for mentor appreciation events to bring an exciting program to Swansboro Elementary School.
Thanks to the leadership of the mentor group, and a generous grant from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, the RJCL purchased a book for every child at Swansboro as part of the "Go Read" program.   Each child at Swansboro received "Superfudge" by Judy Blume as part of a school-wide book distribution.  During a three-week period in March, all students read "Superfudge" and completed age-appropriate activities related to the book's content.
read more

Advocating for Issues of Importance is Meaningful

Make it Matter.  That was the theme for the recent Washington 15 Young Leadership Conference, which brought together 1,1000 + like-minded young Jews from all over North America and Israel to learn about critical social and political issues affecting our world.
This was my third Young Leadership Conference, and I knew that I would be inspired and energized.  I had the unique opportunity to hear some of the most dynamic leaders in the Jewish world and the world at large.  I met advocates and decision makers ­ both political and social, who have channeled their passions into action. read more

Washington 15 - Three Days of Inspiration for Young Richmonders

MAKE IT MATTER. What does this mean to you? Bring together 1,100+ Jewish young adults, and there will be multiple answers. This is exactly what took place March 16-18 in Washington, D.C., at the United Jewish Communities Washington 15 Conference. Over the three days, we came together to discuss the current issues that are relevant to today's world, from the environment, social issues, international crisis, and politics.  As a first time attendee of this conference, I had heard stories of previous experiences, but to be honest I still was not sure what to expect.

read more
JERUSALEM - Six of 10 Israelis think Prime Minister Ehud Olmert isn't capable of promoting peacemaking with the Palestinians because of the latest police probe to engulf him, a poll showed Monday. more...

UJC/Federations are helping many Jewish communal groups worldwide mark Israel’s 60th anniversary. For example, UJC/Federation-supported JDC has organized a “Park Israel” event in Moscow’s famed Ostankino Park for thousands to celebrate Israel’s anniversary -- the first public celebration of Israel in Russia. The event will feature performances by acclaimed Russian and Israeli artists, food, children's activities and more. UJC/Federations also support the UJC-JCPA Israel Advocacy Initiative, which has been helping communities use Israel @ 60 celebrations to advocate for Israel and offers online resources with event ideas, materials and noteworthy practices.

To learn more about Israel @ 60 celebrations, visit UJC’s interoffice and public Israel @ 60 websites.

Remember Federation.

Tomorrow Begins Today with your legacy gift to Federation.
Remember Federation.
Live Generously. It can do a world of good forever.
For more information click here.

Article from the Jewish Daily Forward

Everyone Deserves to Live in Peace - Life in Sderot

Welcome to Jewish Richmond!

Give Now to the 2008/UJA Jewish Welfare Fund Campaign

To make a Tribute or Memorial Donation click here

Ellen's Column 5-1-08

For as long as we can remember, there has always been a State of Israel - it is for many the heart and soul of the Jewish people.
May 14, 2008 will mark the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and Jews and non-Jews the world over will gather in celebration.
As we have learned, the desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State of Israel is the outgrowth of the existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel established 3000 years ago in the city of Jerusalem. 
And a century ago at the First Zionist Congress, in Basel, Switzerland, participants under the leadership of Theodore Herzl affirmed this desire. Born from the ashes of the Holocaust, the State of Israel has from its inception faced the hostility, and frequently the armed aggression, of its neighbors.  In its 60 years of existence, Israel has become the most successful democracy in the Middle East, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the area.
Since its establishment, the modern State of Israel has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and dynamic society, and created a unique and vital economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy costs of wars, Intifadas, terrorism, and, at times, international criticism. And throughout its history, Jews around the world have stood by her side. read more

Jewish Holidays Calendar
2007-2011

Jewish Holidays begin at sunset the evening before the day indicated.
For Dates of the Holidays, click here.
For more information on all of the Jewish holidays, click here.

Upcoming Events