JEWISH FESTIVALS UNITE TO MARK ANNIVERSARY EVENT CELEBRATES ISRAEL'S FOUNDING.Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer ENCINO - Tens of thousands celebrated Israel's 57th Independence Day in Woodley Park Woodley Park refers to the following:
``It has a lot more meaning than just a regular picnic,'' said Joseph Rivani, 48, of West Hills, who added that he considers the existence of the state of Israel after years of conflict to be miraculous. More than 30,000 people attended this year's Israel Independence Day Festival, many to see popular performer Sarit Hadad Sarit Hadad (Hebrew: שרית חדד, born September 20, 1978) is a popular Israeli singer. Born in Hadera, Israel, her real name is Sara Hodedtov (Hebrew: שרה חודדטוב). , who helped raise attendance over last year, said Adee Drory, a spokeswoman for the festival. About 15,000 people attended last year's festival. Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California and his challenger, City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. , were both in attendance. Other officials included Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. Delgadillo described his recent experience visiting Israel and spoke of his respect for the nation. ``Born in struggle like the United States, (Israel) is a nation of pioneers, of visionaries and of immigrants,'' Delgadillo said. The festival had dozens of vendor booths, where attendees could learn about local Jewish youth camps, kosher food and local synagogues. Many in attendance sat in the shade under trees, eating couscous cous·cous n. 1. A pasta of North African origin made of crushed and steamed semolina. 2. A North African dish consisting of pasta steamed with a meat and vegetable stew. or falafel fa·la·fel or fe·la·fel n. 1. Ground spiced chickpeas shaped into balls and fried. 2. A sandwich filled with such a mixture. . As he sat near a stage for Russian-language singers at the festival, Rivani explained that Israel is made up of Jews from many different countries, including Ethiopia and Iran. ``This is the beauty of this (festival). ... It's like a mini Israel,'' Rivani said. This year's Israel Independence Day Festival was combined with the annual Los Angeles Jewish Festival, which will not happen as a separate event this year, said John Fishel, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Organizers plan to combine the two festivals permanently. ``We feel that it's a reflection that we're one unified community,'' Fishel said. Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) Israel Scouts, above, get ready to go on stage at the 57th Israel Independence Day Festival Sunday in Woodley Park. Below, Kayla Forman, 14 months, of Tarzana waves her flags. Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News |
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