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Friday, May 1, 1998

Students celebrate 50th anniversary of Israel

ISRAEL: Festivities include remembrances, dancing, exploration of Jewish culture

By Lawrence Ferchaw

Daily Bruin Contributor

Halfway around the world from Israel, UCLA students gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the modern state.

On Thursday, Jewish student and community groups set up booths in Westwood Plaza. Students gathered first to participate in a ceremony of remembrance and then to listen to speeches and singing.

"We as UCLA students in the diaspora have the obligation to remember," said Rachel Metson, president of the Jewish Student Union.

After the solemn ceremony of remembrance for the soldiers who died protecting the nation, students transitioned to a more festive ceremony, Yom HaAtzmaut.

"In Israel, they make the same transition," Metson said.

"(Going) from solemn time to a celebratory time, you really appreciate the struggles that people have done to ensure that the state survives," she continued.

Hillel Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller spoke to the crowd after the students lit candles in remembrance. After concluding the remembrance part of the ceremony with a prayer, he reminded the students that Yom HaAtzmaut is a time for celebration.

"We too will celebrate," said Seidler-Feller.

After concluding his remarks, the crowd sang the Israeli national anthem; City Councilman Mike Feuer then spoke.

He urged the crowd to think about their relationship with Israel, and how it may change.

"If we don't constantly question, then we do ourselves a disservice," Feuer said.

At the celebration, students could paint ceramic candle holders, decorate cookies, get information about Israel, and sample food.

The Chabad House set up the ceramic painting table as a way to spread light and thereby make the world a better place.

"Our job is to make light. That's our job as the Jewish people," said Rabbi Mendel Cunin of Chabad.

While no protesters were present, Metson said that they were expecting them and attempted to counter their claims with a sign campaign.

"We have 20 boards located throughout the campus embracing unity with diversity," said Metson.

The pictures, showing Jews and Arabs together, were borrowed from a publication by Benneton and Newsweek. The hope was to stress the importance of cooperation.

"Nothing gets accomplished by protest," Metson said.

The crowd was also treated to a performance by the Kibbutz Artzi, the Israeli choir.

"I'm not even Jewish, I just enjoy choral music," said Adina Hristu who stopped after hearing the singers from a distance.

Celebraters would later gather at the corner of Roebling and Landfair for a street fair that stretched to Strathmore. Students danced to both Israeli and American music and enjoyed Israeli food.

"I think it's nice that everyone was able to gather together to celebrate Israel," said Josh Feldman, a first-year student.

"We may be far in distance, but we're not far in spirit," he continued.

At the end of the afternoon celebration, Seidler-Feller led the group in a prayer for peace before the crowd sang the same song Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin sang before being assassinated.

"Now the state of Israel is on the edge of peace," said Seidler-Feller.

With reports by Michael Weiner, Daily Bruin Contributor.MICHAEL ROSS WACHT/Daily Bruin

Randy Kaplan, a first-year law student, paints Shabbat (Jewish sabbath) candlesticks.

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