On May 14, 1948, thousands of men and women who’d just become citizens of the new State of Israel proclaimed by David Ben Gurion minutes earlier gathered on the streets of Tel Aviv to sing and dance in celebration, weeping as they belted out the words that crystallized our ancient hope:

לִהְיוֹת עַם חָפְשִׁי בְּאַרְצֵנוּ

To be a free people in our own land.

Seventy-seven years later, we will gather in Temple Emanu-El’s historic sanctuary in partnership with Temple Israel to celebrate the realization of that ancestral dream once more. The special Shabbat service will by energized by four Israeli jazz musicians who will spice up our traditional prayers and add their own music to this festive celebration of our peoplehood and homeland.

Festive oneg to follow the service.

Since 1939, the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF) has supported Israeli artists, fostering excellence in music, dance, and visual arts. From legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman to members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, AICF has empowered over 18,000 artists to excel on the global stage. aicf.org.