Jewish Journal: Ahad Ha’am 2.0: Hebrew Literacy for Israelis in America

by Rabbi Yonah Bookstein Source: Jewish Journal Ahad Ha’am, a great Zionist thinker and icon, knew that one of the keys to creating a thriving Jewish culture in Palestine, and among assimilating Jews in Europe, was reviving the ancient Hebrew language. While Hebrew had been relegated to books of law and philosophy for centuries, Ahad Ha’am and his contemporaries wiped away the dust, and revived the spoken language, creating a modern Hebrew culture. More than 100 year’s later Hebrew is again at the center of cultural transformation, with a novel program bringing Hebrew into Jewish homes—again. Can a bunch of free  Read More…

SP-BA: Keeping Israelis Jewish by Meredith Jacobs of the Washington Jewish Week

Two area day schools are the local hosts for an innovative new family program aimed at connecting Israeli families living in the U.S. to the American Jewish community. Sifryat Pijama B’America is the brainchild of L.A. businessman and philanthropist, Adam Milstein. Based on the PJ Library program, modern Israeli children’s books, published in Hebrew, are distributed free to area families during monthly programs at 30 day schools across the country. Locally, Gesher Day School in Fairfax and the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital are Sifryat Pijama B’America sites. Milstein came to America from Israel when his daughters  Read More…

Celebrate Israel Festival

Source: Celebrate Israel Festival Celebrate Israel Festival’s mission is to bridge between communities by celebrating the State of Israel and educating through music, arts and culture. This spectacular 15,000-person celebration took place on April 29th at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center to celebrate Israel’s 64th independence day. The day started with a 1.5-mile “Salute to Israel Walk” escorted by the “9/11 Tribute Cars” at 8:30am. 5 stages with performances throughout the day; “Positively Israel” pavilion showcased Israel’s innovations in technology; massive 5-foot art installations; official ceremony with local and state dignitaries took place at 1:00PM hosted by Michael Medved of KRLA  Read More…