Wednesday, May 7, 2008:
Yeshurun Synagogue (44 King George Street, 02-624-3942) will be having a special service in honor of Yom Ha'Atzmaut at 7:30 pm. Note that many other local synagogues like Shir Hadash, Shira Chadasha, Ohel Nechama and Yakar will be having special services ranging from prayers for the State of Israel to words of inspiration and dancing with live music, so be sure to check them out for details.
Kick off the evening with celebrational fireworks at 10:30 p.m... recommended viewing sites include the Tayelet, Kikar Safra (city municipality outside the Old City), the Promenade at Mamilla Mall, Gan Sachar, or any open space that gives you full-spectrum viewing.
If lavish and regal is your style, reserve a place at the Great Synagogue's Gala Dinner (58 King George Street, 9 p.m.), with Rabbi David and Anita Fuld, IDF soldiers and the Israel Parnes Band: And take heed, singles, there are 40 places left especially for you at the great rate of 75 NIS (call 02.623.0628 or 052.389.5190 to reserve). Continuing along the classic theme, the Jerusalem Theater (20 Marcus Street) will be hosting a number of couture-worthy concerts, with The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra accompanying Alexander Korsantia at 8:30 pm and Ella Milch-Schiff/ Fanfare for Orchestra (world premiere) going on at 9:30 p.m. performing Chopin and Dvorak. Contact 1-700-70-4000, www.jso.co.il for details.
Breathtaking audio-visual presentations portraying the history of the State of Israel, complete with video clips, music, laser and polytechnics will be Lighting Up the Skies at various locations. Call 073-212-6060 for details (or check out www.israel60.gov.il). And while you're at it, sing and bring a little light yourself to the Maon Nechim Home for the Disabled in Gilo (call 054-447-8166), where you can lend your voice and musical talents to appreciative ears.
If you're looking to loosen up a bit, check into Off the Wall Comedy Basement's 3rd Annual Israel Roast: A Year In Review. Featuring funnyman David Kilimnick, it's the lighter side of life in The Promised Land (34 Ben Yehuda, 30 NIS plus one drink min., 02.624.3218). But wait, that's not all: The fun is just beginning.
The Merkaz Party (Merkaz HaMagshimim, 7 Dor Vedorshav, German Colony) will be celebrating starting at 9:30 p.m. with Shira Be'Tzibur and fun Israeli music from currents to classics. With barbeque food, drinks, and charitable proceeds (20 NIS entrance minimum), it's a great stop on a string of festivities.
Think Twice, the harmonious guitaring duo singing original tunes and classic rock covers goes on at 9:30/10 p.m. at Sideways (Heleni Hamalka St, near The Coffee Bean, 052-541-1124 ), and 7 NIS is a price almost anyone can swing and bring friends to. Toasted Beatz is playing at 10 p.m. at Uganda (4 Aristobolus St, 02-623-6087) and there's no cover charge. Blues Train goes on at 10:30 p.m. at Mike's Place (34 Jaffa Street) with a rock & blues sound and also won't charge you a dime. The Yellow Submarine (13 Rehavim St., 02-679-4040) is having a full-blown Independence Day party with Pacotek and DJ Yulia/Barcelona starting at 10:30 p.m., tickets are 30-50 NIS.
Kikar Safra (The City Municipality, the end of Jaffa Street outside the Old City) has its famed Israeli dancing. When exactly it begins is a mystery, but by 10 p.m. it will be loud and in full swing and goes through the wee hours (past 2 a.m.). Hava Nagila is mere child's play: Just watch the Israeli population (men included) put you to shame with their swift steps… never have you experienced horas like these. You definitely will be able to say, 'I could have danced all night…' Speaking of dancing all night, Yeshivat Merkaz Harav is renowned for their all-night hakafot accompanied by a live band. Dancing is separate and continues from their Yeshiva in Kiryat Moshe (Rechov Kanfei Nesharim) all the way to the Kotel for sunrise prayer service... it's worth the trip no matter how far you came from. Visit the yeshiva in Kiryat Moshe and be sure to check them out again when Yom Yerushalayim comes around.
Thursday, May 8, 2008:
Start your day on the best foot possible with festive Yom HaAtzmaut prayers and Carlebach style Hallel with Itzchak Miller at the OU Center (22 Keren HaYesod); Rabbi Sholom Gold and Rabbi Aharon Adler will follow up with inspiring words. Services start at 8 a.m., call 02-560-9100 for details.
Connect with the beauty of the land of Israel on a Nature Hike for Women, beginning at 10 a.m. in the blooming forests near Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion (no charge); Call 02-993-4945 for details. An Airforce Flypast will launch at about 11 a..m. in Israel's skies and will be visible from cities all around the country including Jerusalem. Contact www.israel60.gov.il or call 073-212-6060 for more info.
If you're more adventurous and are ready to make the trip, Independence Hall in Tel Aviv will be open to the public all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where you can hear a recording of David Ben-Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence, and see the room much as it looked on May 14, 1948. Located at 16 Rothschild Blvd, call 03-517-3942 for details; entrance is free to all. And for singles, the Israel Anglo Singles has got a Singles Independence Day Beach Party Picnic at the beachfront near Mike's Place in Tel Aviv (20 NIS, contact IsraelAngloSingles on the Yahoo Groups for details). Suited for ages 30-60, this probably means you. And if all this isn't enough, we're sure you'll find a party, barbecue or place to celebrate anywhere along the way. Happy 60th, Israel and keep on dancing!