Five-thousand people joined together at the Kings Bay YM-WHA at 3495 Nostrand Avenue this past Sunday, to celebrate and honor the state of Israel.
Organized by the Kings Bay Y and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, the event featured “Israel on Nostrand Avenue.” Along the avenue, exhibits and activities were set up giving kids and adults alike a fun, exciting glimpse of Israeli culture.
Among these booths were a kibbutz petting zoo, the Tel-Aviv beach, a picnic in the Israel Park, and inflatable rides including a Golan Heights obstacle course and Israel slide. Attendees could write a note in the Western Wall, and take a picture on the Kings Bay Y El Al airplane heading to Israel. Musical performances given by Avram Pengas and Eric Stern, along with the Rambam orchestra, also accompanied the event.
“Thank you for continuing your support for the state of Israel,” said Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz, as he greeted the crowd. “It’s so important for organizations like this to be out front and show us the way.”
Our friends from the Kings Bay YM-YWHA are partnering together with the World Zionist Organization to bring us their Annual Israel on Nostrand Avenue Celebration, a joyous festival celebrating all things “Land of Milk and Honey,” June 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in front of the Kings Bay Y, 3495 Nostrand Avenue between Avenue U and Avenue V.
According to the Kings Bay Y, the celebration, which annually attracts thousands of people, is “the largest event celebrating Israel in Brooklyn.” Attendees will get to enjoy live entertainment, vendors, delicious food, free giveaways and raffles. There will also be bouncy carnival rides for the kiddies, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and lots more.
The event will also draw some of our elected officials and community leaders at approximately 12:15 p.m. Ambassador Ido Aharoni, the Consul General of Israel in New York, will be on hand to welcome the crowd at that time.
The Annual Israel on Nostrand Avenue Celebration is free and open to the public. To learn more, contact Alina at (718) 648-7703 extension 224, email at info@kingsbayy.org or go to www.kingsbayy.org.
Sheepshead Bites will have a table at this event, so come by and meet the team!
Organizers at the Kings Bay YM-YWHA said yesterday’s Israel Expo – the largest celebration of Israel in Brooklyn – was a stellar success, with approximately 5,000 people once again packing Nostrand Avenue between Avenue V and Gravesend Neck Road.
Kids enjoyed tables of crafts, a petting zoo, inflatable amusements and live music entertainment while parents perused tables selling handmade goods like yarmulkes and jewelry. Sheepshead Bites also had a table, as well as El Al Airlines and the Israel Ministry of Tourism, since we all have so much in common, and all gave away information and goodies throughout the afternoon event.
City Councilman Lew Fidler, State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and State Senator Marty Golden stopped by to express their commitment to Israel and the Kings Bay Y. You can check out video of their statements after the jump.
Kings Bay YM-YWHA is thrilled to announce our Annual Israel Celebration to take place on Sunday, June 12, 2011 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. The large celebration attracts thousands of people to eat, dance and rejoice with us on this festive day.
Kings Bay Y brings Israel to the Greater Sheepshead Bay/Marine Park community. We feature Israeli music and dance, teach about the country through interactive games, display the achievements of Israel’s citizens, showcase opportunities for travel and much more. The street is closed for the duration of the event and admission is free.
The celebration is proudly situated on Nostrand Avenue (between Ave U and V). The community enjoys live music, an Israeli marketplace full of jewelry, Judaica, Israeli craft, delicious food, free giveaways and raffles. Children bounce on carnival rides, visit a petting zoo, participate in arts and crafts and other fun activities. Live music and dancing. Elected officials and community leaders are scheduled to attend the event.
Approximately 5,000 people crowded Nostrand Avenue between Gravesend Neck Road and Avenue V on Sunday, coming together to celebrate Israeli history and culture.
For more than 10 years now, the Kings Bay YM-YWHA has been organizing the event to “present the history, diversity and culture of Israel, and not politics,” said Leonard Petlakh, executive director of the Kings Bay Y.
Around two dozen tables kept the crowd busy with arts and crafts, Israeli jewelry and art, products and information. Inflatable amusements buffered both ends of the event, with a stage in the middle playing Israeli and other tunes for the audience. Borough President Marty Markowitz came, along with other local politicians. The event was not just for Jewish residents – almost every race, religion and ethnicity could be counted among the attendees.
“I think that the community had an incredible time with so many various activities for the children, and such great music performances,” Petlakh said. “Next year, we hope to invite some celebrities or musical performers from Israel.”
Last year's Kibbutz petting zoo - Courtesy of Kings Bay Y
And on the seventh day, the G-man ended his work which he had made; and he rested. Because the day after that, it was time to par-tay. Challaaah!
That’s how we did it back in Hebrew school. Judaica O.G., yo.
Anyway, enough of that silliness. The Kings Bay YM-YWHA is throwing their annual Israel Celebration this Sunday, June 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The group is inviting everyone from the community to eat, dance, rejoice and boogie down for free.
They’re featuring Israeli music and dance, children’s rides, arts and crafts tables, an “Israeli marketplace,” a kibbutz petting zoo, and more.
The celebration is going on in front of their building at 3495 Nostrand Avenue, and the entire Avenue will be closed between Avenue U and Avenue V. Elected officials and community leaders are scheduled to attend the event.
And then after the party, we shall look back at all that we’ve done, and we shall see that it was good. Real good.
