SHOW OF SUPPORT SOUTHLAND JEWS CELEBRATE ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - The Star of David rose over Woodley Park on Sunday as thousands of Los Angeles Jews converged to celebrate Israel's 54th birthday.

The Israel Independence Day Festival was expected to draw up to 60,000 visitors to hail the first Jewish state in nearly two millennia - and to rally for Israel's war against terrorism.

Festivities included klezmer music, kosher food and carnival rides under a heightened blanket of security sparked by Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East.

``We're celebrating Israeli Independence Day, which was Wednesday,'' said Jerome Gutman, executive director for the festival. ``We're also showing support for the state of Israel during this time of crisis.''

By Sunday, Israeli forces had already withdrawn from most major Palestinian cities on the West Bank during a controversial military campaign launched after Palestinian terrorists killed scores of Israelis.

The day, however, was anything but solemn.

Songs sung in Hebrew and Yiddish filled a glade redolent of smoky kebabs, spicy falafel and schwarma. Children took to a Ferris wheel while others turned out for arts, crafts and games.

Long lines of tents featured scores of Jewish community organizations, temples, supporters of Israel and professional services.

And everywhere - on 30-foot dancing balloons, on fences and on visitors' lapels - flew Israel's Star of David, symbol of the Land ofMilk and Honey.

``The music is great, and you can get falafel,'' said Shari Reitman, 40, of Santa Clarita, seeking shade from the hot morning sun with her husband and two children. ``We're having fun. Just being with other Jews - and you're all here for one cause, and that's to support Israel.''

At least 80 Los Angeles police, 70 private security guards and the U.S. Secret Service provided security, Gutman said. All visitors were required to check-in through airport-style metal detectors.

What had begun 15 years ago as a small gathering at the North Valley Jewish Community Center had become what may well be the largest Jewish gathering in Los Angeles, home of the largest population of Israelis outside Israel.

The event, sponsored by the city and leading Jewish groups, was chaired by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, with speeches planned by state Gov. Gray Davis, his wife, Sharon, U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, City Councilman Dennis Zine, and Israeli Consul General Yuval Rotem.

But no one was more awed by Sunday's celebration than those who had fought for its flag against six Arab armies in the wake of the Holocaust and World War II.

``It's the most important thing I ever did, to fight for Israel,'' said Jason Fenton, who left his London home as a 16-year-old pilot to become the youngest fighter in the Machal volunteer force from 29 countries.

``We had nothing, with nothing,'' said Fenton, 74, of Laguna Hills, who became an anti-tank gunner in the Negev Desert campaign against the Egyptians.

``We scoured Europe for leftover weapons. We dug out of the sand British and German guns from El Alemein. In the beginning, we had a wooden gun, which we tried to convince the enemy was real.''

But, he said, ``we had no alternative - this was the Jewish secret weapon.''

Max Barchichat, 72, of Van Nuys, was 18 when he left his home in Casablanca, Morocco, to volunteer with the defense forces.

``The war is not over yet,'' he said. ``I tell you, we wish we were younger, we'd do more.''

Paul Dinhas, 63, of Beverly Hills, born in Palestine and a veteran of the Sinai War of 1956, said he prefers peace.

``We like peace, not war,'' he said. ``We don't want terrorists, and we don't want to fight them.''

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4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Tanja Solnik, right, sings with the Hollywood Klezmers during Sunday's Israel Independence Day Festival. The Israeli Dancers, above, perform for the estimated 60,000 festivalgoers at Woodley Park.

(3 -- 4 -- color) Visitors to Sunday's Israel Independence Day Festival were greeted with increased security at Woodley Park, above, where an estimated 60,000 people enjoyed entertainment, food and crafts.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer