The week of April 19-25 held a significant meaning for Israelis in the greater Ann Arbor Jewish community, and for all locals who care about Israel. Community gatherings were held to commemorate and to celebrate, first on April 20 for Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) and again on April 22 for Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day).
The Yom HaZikaron community ceremony was held at Beth Israel Congregation. Focused on victims of antisemitic terror world-wide, community members were invited to share stories of those lost with whom they have personal connections. Among the victims commemorated were Rabbi Eli Schlanger (cousin of Rabbi Alter Goldstein and Shternie Zwiebel), who was murdered in the attack on Sidney’s Bondi Beach during Hannukah 2025, and Vivian Silver, dear friend of Ann Arborite Linda Jo Doctor, who was murdered at Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7. The ceremony was made even more emotional with musical contributions from volunteers from around the Ann Arbor area, including Avishay and Cantor Regina Hayut, the “Mizmoret” band, Rabbi Gabriel Pescador of Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, and Hebrew Day School’s Orit Aviran, who also co-produced the event with the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.
Two evenings later, a collaborative team made up of the Jewish Federation on Greater Ann Arbor, the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor, and Jewish Family Service of Washtenaw County invited the local Jewish community to gather again, this time to celebrate at the second annual Israeli Block Party. More than 200 community members of all ages gathered at the JCC for a rich program of Israeli cultural immersion. The evening included Israeli food, art, and family activities. The centerpiece of the night was an energetic concert by “HaShayara Project,” an Israeli band that came to Ann Arbor specifically to lead the celebration. Their specialty is a “mashup” of classic Israeli and classic American songs to create a unique cultural, communal experience.