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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!

Israeli Flag

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.

Yamim Grants are part of the מתחברים | Mit-Habrim | CONNECTIONS funding initiative, a partnership between JCC Association of North America and the Israeli Government’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

Special Exhibits

Wings of Hope

Special Exhibits

Wings of Hope

Join us to help create a stunning piece of community art. The first Wings of Hope installation was made in July 2023 by Livnat Kutz z”l and the members of Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel.

The exhibit is a piece of artwork made from gently used plastic toys collected by the community. These toys were assembled into wings on the wall of a shelter in Kfar Aza, symbolizing the values of sustainability, creativity, and a sense of optimistic community belonging—values that Livnat and her family embodied. Tragically, they were brutally murdered in their home by Hamas during the October 7 attack.

The project is being replicated throughout Israel and around the world, commemorating Livnat’s deep dedication to community and resilience, ensuring her memory lives on. The wings at the Mayerson JCC will serve as a gathering place for creation, arts and crafts, and a testament to a connected community. They will shine a light that reaches beyond the borders of the kibbutz and Israel.

Drop off donations by April 17.

Join us on Yom HaAtzmaut to participate in the art project.

Kites for Peace

Special Exhibits

Kites for Peace

Through the Kites for Peace festival, we will honor the victims of violence in Israel after October 7 and look forward to more peaceful days ahead. Join us to create your own kite, which we will fly together as a community to send our united hopes for peace into the sky and beyond.

History of Kites for Peace:

Kibbutz Kfar Aza, located in the Gaza envelope, has been holding an annual Afifonyada (kite festival) on the holiday of Simchat Torah. This 15-year long tradition was initiated by Aviv and Livnat Kutz z”l, as a gesture and message of peace to the people on the other side of the Gaza border. In Aviv’s words, “They fly rockets at us, and we fly kites of peace at them.” October 7, 2023 was supposed to be the 15th time this beautiful tradition takes place in Kibbutz Kfar Azza. Unfortunately, that did not happen. That day, the Kutz family was brutally murdered in their home.

In honor of the Kutz’s family message of peace, we invite you to fly a kite or hang one in your home and community spaces with a message. These messages will be shared with the Kutz family and the community of Kfar Aza, honoring the memory of those who were killed and joining them in their beautiful tradition of calling for peace.

Candles

Special Exhibits

The Family Workshop

Sharon Hammer is the owner The Family Workshop in Kibbutz Carmia, the Jewish Federation’s partnership community in the Gaza envelope, that creates handmade lifestyle products with a focus on natural materials, including ceramic cups, natural beeswax candles, and beautifully designed paper products. Visit their shop during Yom HaAtzmaut, where you can bring high-quality and meticulously handmade craftsmanship to your home.

Yom HaAtzmaut Community Fair

Participating Community Fair Booths

AD 120 Jewish Events | Games

American Jewish Committee | Swag & Conversations

Beth Adam | Collages about Israeli society

Camp at the J | Face Paint & Israeli flag craft

Camp Livingston | Jenga Game

Chabad of Blue Ash | Hebrew Names

Congregation Etz Chaim | Watercolor Activities

DJ M2DM | Music Provided

Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center | Photo Opportunity

IDF Air Force | Drones & VR

JCC Inclusion | Sensory Kits available to borrow

Jewish Family Services | Writing notes of strength, resilience, and gratitude for the Western Wall

Jewish Fertility Foundation | Flags representing personal and family growth

Jewish National Fund | Bomb Shelter Discussion

Kites for Peace | Kite Creation

Krav Maga

Kibbutz Carmia | Products available for sale

Northern Hills Synagogue | Hamsas

PJ Library

Photo Booth | Photo Opportunity

Rockwern Academy | Decorating Planters

T-Shirt Sale | Bring Them Home Shirts

Wings of Hope | Art Installation

Cincinnati’s Modern Israeli Holiday programs 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.
Sammy Kanter

Sammy Kanter

Director of Jewish Life
Management Team
Tzach Shmuely

Tzach Schmuely

Community Shaliach