CLEVELAND – The innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives that have been tragically lost this month are, very sadly, only the latest casualties of an ongoing conflict between Israel and an array of forces seeking Israel’s elimination. These forces include well-known terrorist organizations – like Hamas, Hezbollah (the much larger terrorist organization operating on Israel’s northern borders), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad – as well as the government of Iran.

As the violent attacks in Israel continue to escalate, Jewish Cleveland is coming together to show our support. Join us as we walk from the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland together in solidarity with Israel, and send a message of peace and healing across the world.

In celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's 73rd Independence Day, our community enjoyed both a family-friendly in-"car"-nival drive-in experience and a virtual event!

As the state of Israel rang in its 73rd anniversary, hundreds of people across Cleveland showed their patriotism during the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Yom Ha’atzmaut festival April 15.

Efi Mazor, the people-to-people coordinator at Partnership 2Gether Beit Shean-Valley of Springs-Cleveland and a former solider of the Israel Defense Forces, recalled an IDF doctor’s bravery and selflessness during the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s annual Yom Hazikaron commemoration April 13.

Karen Tucker’s lifelong love of Israel has roots in her youth. At 13 years old, she vividly remembers watching the news coverage of Israel, then a fledgling nation, fight for its survival in the Six Day War. As a college student, she attended rallies, spoke out in support of Israel, and donated funds to help the country defend itself during the Yom Kippur War.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland commemorated Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day in a very moving ceremony.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will ring in the state of Israel’s 73rd anniversary with a festival boasting in-person and virtual options April 15.