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Arts, Ideas & Jewish Life, Modern Israeli Holidays

Modern Israeli Holidays

Join the Mayerson JCC and The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati in honoring and celebrating the modern Israeli holidays!

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Overview

Join the Mayerson JCC and The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati in honoring and celebrating the modern Israeli holidays!

These programs are proudly supported by the Israel Engagement Fund: A JCC Association of North America Program Accelerator and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

Schedule

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Modern Israeli Holidays

Yom HaShoah

Join the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, the Mayerson Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Family Service for the 2024 Yom HaShoah Commemoration. Stand with us as we remember and mourn the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and honor the survivors.
Register
FREE with RSVP
Modern Israeli Holidays

Yom HaZikaron

Join the Cincinnati community for a memorial service to honor the soldiers and victims of terror who gave their lives in defense of the State of Israel. With the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the ongoing war, this annual commemoration will offer additional meaning and significance. This year’s ceremony may feature stories from members of the Cincinnati community impacted by the war.
Register
FREE with RSVP
Modern Israeli Holidays

Hoxworth Blood Drive

Hoxworth’s Mobile Unit will be available in the J parking lot for those who wish to donate blood. All types welcome!
Register
FREE with RSVP
Modern Israeli Holidays

Yom HaAtzmaut: Mitzvah Fair

Come together in community to celebrate Israel’s independence day. Participate in service projects and activities hosted by organizations from across Cincinnati. There will be activities for all ages. Dinner will be available for sale.
Register
FREE with RSVP
Modern Israeli Holidays

Yom HaAtzmaut Ceremony

Join the Cincinnati Jewish community in song as we mark the transition from the solemn observance of Yom HaZikaron to the joyous celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut.
Register
FREE with RSVP
Modern Israeli Holidays

Humans of October 7th Exhibit & Speaker

Take in the moving photography of Erez Kaganovitz’s Humans of October 7th exhibition, which brings to light the human stories of the unique and resilient Israelis who stood up against evil. Erez will speak about his work and inspiration, and his mission to bring understanding, emotional connection, and unity to many around the world. We will have it on exhibit in the gallery from Monday, May 6 – Tuesday, May 14.
Erez Kaganovitz

Humans of October 7
By Erez Kaganovitz, Photographer
On Display: May 6 – 14


Artist Statement
Since the horrendous and devastating attack on Israel my world, like many others in Israel and around the world stopped. It seems like not only Israel won’t be the same after this brutal attack but also the whole Jewish world. Since the October 7th horrific attack, the incitement on the streets and social media fueled antisemitism and misconceptions about Israel and the Jewish people at large.

As an artist and a photojournalist, I feel it’s imperative to fight back against these misconceptions and rising antisemitism by showing the Human side of Israel. From my experience, highlighting the Human elements of Israel can provide a reminder of what Israeli society is all about and what we are actually fighting for.

To do so I’ve created the Humans of October 7th exhibition.

The exhibition is an ongoing project that brings to light the human stories of the unique Israelis who stood up against evil. It shows the Israeli D.N.A. at its best and shows the incredible spirit and resilience of the Israeli people.

About the Artist
Photographer, native Tel Avivi, and TEDx speaker, Erez Kaganovitz is the human behind the Humans of Tel Aviv, Humans of Israel, and Humans of the Holocaust projects. Through his work, Erez has helped bridge a cultural gap in society both within and outside of Israel. His compelling work brings understanding, emotional connection, and unity to many around the world.

Join Us for our Yom HaAtzmaut Mitzvah Fair

Participating Organizations and their Mitzvahs

Participating Organizations and their Mitzvahs

Chabad Blue Ash | Making Hebrew names and birthdates

University of Miami Hillel | No-sew blankets

University of Cincinnati Hillel | Bracelet making

Cincinnati Jewish Experience | Buttons

Congregation Etz Chaim | Painting light switches

Congregation Sha’arei Torah | Shema mitzvah

Jewish Fertility Foundation | Decorating pomegranates

Jewish National Fund | Baskets of goodies from Israel raffle

Northern Hills Synagogue

Rockwern Academy | Tzedakah boxes

BBYO | Creating videos to soldiers or those who have been displaced

Cincy Journeys | Kindness rocks

PJ Library | Sand art

Krav Maga | Demonstrations

Camp at the J | Writing and drawing cards for soldiers

Women’s Philanthropy | Painting ceramic flowers

USY

Chaverot | Painting an Am Yisrael Chai banner

Bake Sale for Israel Featuring Israeli Baker, Oz Shahari

Israeli Baker, Oz Shahari, will be selling pastries and other delicious baked goods to support Kibbutz Maayan Baruch in Israel.

Oz Patisserie is a pastry shop founded by Oz Shahari in 2018. Before starting this business, Oz worked in many restaurants across Israel and did an internship in Paris. After his return to Israel, Oz started a small confectionery shop in Upper Galilee. Being one of the firsts in the area, the shop gained momentum very quickly and grew much more than Oz imagined. During the first few years, Oz’s family joined the effort and Oz Patisserie became a “family business” in the full sense of the term. After moving to a new location, Oz established a manufacturing factory where they prepare products and send them across the country. Oz’s goal is to provide customers with delicious products, a cozy and homely atmosphere and good memories!

October 7 

From the beginning of the war on October 7, we all woke up to a different reality of uncertainty. Oz was drafted into the reserves on October 10 and went down to the Gaza Strip. He spent about two weeks in reserve duty in the South, and when the fighting began in the North, he asked for a transfer and moved to the North.

Two things that led to this decision are:

1. Guarding the house, with the understanding that in the North the campaign has not yet begun.
2. Maintaining the business and trying to operate it.

Since Oz’s move to the north, the business has operated on several levels:

1. Oz and the team catered at the Selina Kinneret and Selina Prude Hotel and prepared food daily for about 450 evacuees from kibbutzim on the northern border. After 3 months of catering for the evacuees, Oz was released from reserve duty and decided to try to bring the business back to life.
2. Oz Patisserie’s factory opened a new path and began to hold large corporate events.
3. The coffee cart remains closed to this day, and we are currently working on moving it elsewhere.

Oz Shahari

The Modern Israeli Holidays are supported by:

Jewish Federation Logo
Jewish Family Service
Holocaust & Humanity Center
Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
Mayerson JCC logo

Meet the Team

The modern Israeli holidays are organized by a team from the Mayerson JCC and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. It includes volunteers and staff members at both organizations.