ISRAEL (IINO)
25,000 attend Independence Day celebrations in Binyamin
Visitors from across the country enjoy attractions, tours of Biblical and nature sites on Israel’s 75th Independence Day.
Apr 26, 2023, 9:33 PM (GMT+3) – About 25,000 people from all over the country attended the celebrations held in the Binyamin region today (Wednesday) for Israel’s 75th Independence Day.
This is the second year that the Binyamin Regional Council and the Binyamin Community Center held the Independence Day events at different complexes throughout the region.
Four events were held at different locations in Binyamin, including a new location in Gush Audmim. Amusement park and inflatable attractions were set up in the Sha’ar Binyamin Industrial Zone.
At the heritage site of ancient Shiloh, visitors enjoyed children’s facilities, workshops and tours of the exhibits on the ancient Tabernacle which stood in Shiloh in Biblical times.
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At the Sde Ephraim Farm, visitors enjoyed animal attractions such as petting zoos, as well as nature trails, horseback riding, and tours.
A witness to the rebirth of Israel: Jewish DPs in Austria Dr. Alex Grobman
The story of US Army Chaplain Oscar M. Lifshutz and the Jewish DPS’ at Camp Riedenberg in Salzburg Austria, May 14, 1948. Op-ed.
Apr 26, 2023, 11:00 AM (GMT+3) – There are many descriptions of how the new state of Israel was welcomed.
US Army Jewish Chaplain Oscar [Lt. Colonel] M. Lifshutz was an officer dealing with Jewish Affairs, whose duty was to visit Jewish displaced persons camps in post-war Europe. On May 14, 1948 in Tel Aviv, David Ben-Gurion, chairman of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the State of Israel. Jews throughout the world celebrated the establishment of the first Jewish state in 2,000 years.
Lifshutz experienced the creation of a free and independent Jewish nation on a personal level, through the eyes of his fellow American troops, and the liberated Jewish DPs. His description of that event from the DP camp is especially poignant:
“At 9:00 o’clock on May 18, 1948, I visited with the leaders of Displaced Persons at Camp Riedenberg in Salzburg, Austria,” he said. “There was shouting and dancing in the parade area of this old and dilapidated ex-German barracks. The American Military Police (MP), who formerly guarded the outside gates and policed the surrounding area, were now dancing the Hora with the refugees.
Suddenly, a jeep loaded with officers drew up to the gate and a group, headed by a colonel, dismounted and headed toward the flagpole. ‘Good morning, Colonel,’ I said greeting him with open arms.’ How can I be of service to you.?’
‘This is a great day for you Rabbi,’ he quipped, ‘and I am here to see to it that we are going to do things in the right way.’’
Lifshutz sensed that the officer wanted to ensure that something special occurred.
‘What do you have in mind, sir’ I asked?”
‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘I am a Christian and I feel that I, too, have had a hand in helping to bring the Children of Israel to the Promised Land. I want to tell my children that I helped a people find a homeland. I have been away from my home for three years to regain freedom for all people. And, I am going to ask you, as a Rabbi, to help me do something.’
‘Do what,’ I asked?
Overnight, we became Jewish soldiers, Montreal, May, 14, 1948 Jack Engelhard
The Sunday following the Israeli Declaration of Independence our antisemitic neighborhood bullies got the shock of their lives. Op-ed.
Apr 26, 2023, 7:41 AM (GMT+3) – We were just kids. But we understood.
A momentous event had taken place. Israel had declared its Independence, and the American president, Truman, had endorsed the Declaration.
Later, we would learn that Truman had caught his own ministers by surprise, as when he announced his decision at a press conference.
His UN envoys and his State Department were furious.
Meanwhile, we were just kids, the children of Holocaust Survivors. We lived on Saint Urbain Street in Montreal. We attended Fairmount School for regular classes and Talmud Torah for after-school and Torah classes, and at the Talmud Torah we were taught the importance of ancient Israel and modern Israel – so modern that it came true only moments ago.
For this miracle, the streets and boulevards were on parade, thousands singing David, Melech Yisroel, dancing the Hora, and finalizing the festivities with Hatikvah.
At that, people wept openly.
Watch: Israel at 75 – a bird’s eye view
Apr 26, 2023, 10:27 AM (GMT+3) – In honor of Israel’s Independence Day, Ezri Tobe presents a stunning selection of photos showing Israel from a drone’s perspective.
