Jewish Community Center to mark Israel's 60th anniversary
The Augusta Jewish Community Center in Evans aims to entertain and educate the community about Israel in honor of the country's 60th anniversary.
//
"We usually have a yearly Israel experience, but we made it even bigger and better this year for the 60th," said Leah Rosen, executive director at the AJCC.
The community center will hold its fifth annual Israel celebration Sunday. The event, sponsored by the Augusta Jewish Federation, includes "Walk the Land," part of a global project by the Afikim Foundation to create a sense of worldwide unity for Israel, and "Salute to Israel @ 60," marking Israel's 60th anniversary.
"We are taking people on a virtual tour of Israel, because many people can't get there," Rosen said. "So we're accomplishing this with huge banners that have pictures of Israel with information about it."
Both activities will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., providing guests with Israeli food, music, dancing, artistry and jewelry, she said.
"Despite everything that has been going on for the last 60 years, it's a country with extraordinary achievements, and many of them will be reviewed in many ways at the event," Rosen said.
She said people seem to enjoy the biblical petting zoo, which includes live camels from a farm in Georgia, miniature sheep and a goat.
"I know the camels are always a big hit," she said.
Guests love the food and partaking in the dance performance, Rosen said. Children also will have their own activities.
A screening for the 2006 Academy Award winning film, West Bank Story , will be featured at the Israeli celebration.
The event is free to attend, but T-shirts, water bottles and sling bags will be available for purchase along with food and jewelry, Rosen said.
"This is the Jewish community's way of marking that event," Rosen said. "And we invite our friends and neighbors to share with us."
The community center is located at 898 Weinberger Way off Furys Ferry Road in Evans. For information, call (706) 228-3636.