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.