Independence Day in Israel – 61 years old today!

Jewish Holidays
·3 mins read

Later today Israel celebrates Independence Day! Mazal Tov to Israel as she hits 61 and gets ever nearer her state pension. Though you’ve got to admit, she’s not looking at all bad for her advancing years. And I have a feeling she’ll be celebrating quite unlike any 61 year old you or I know…

In Israel, Independence Day (known as Yom HaAtzmaut in Hebrew) is of course a national holiday. Nobody works and it’s time to celebrate! The creation of the state of Israel is what everybody is celebrating, or to be more precise, the moment of the declaration of the state of Israel, which was made on May 14, 1948, bringing an end to those nasty Brits and their control over the land known as Palestine.

Independence Day celebrations are preceeded by the more sombre commemorations of Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron). As is usual for a Jewish holiday, Independence Day events begin immediately after the sun sets on Memorial Day. The nation invariably catches some of the official events on TV, before going out to celebrate themselves. Some Israeli Arabs also celebrate Independence Day but others regard it as a tragic day and refer to it as al-Nakba (“the disaster”).

If you fancy joining in the Independence Day eve celebrations (tonight), you have a few options; the following is a quick list of a few places in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem where you’ll end up having a great time (there are of course many many more, these are just a few that caught my eye):

  • Florentin street party: This southern Tel Aviv neighbourhood will come alive with a big street party tonight. Lots of loud music and quite a few happy, drunk Israelis. And best of all, free!
  • Abraxas bar, together with Maxim Cinema (King George 48, Tel Aviv), have a big bash, including Berlin DJ Oliver Deutschmann. Another free night! For more details: 052-6242454.
  • At the Stage Club (Yona HaNevi 2, Tel Aviv, Tel: 03-5170264), there’s going to be Drag Queens galore plus plenty of Israeli music. 70 shekels entrance fee.
  • At Lima Lima (Lilenblum 42, Tel Aviv, Tel: 03-5600924) it’s Hip Hop aplenty and free entry.
  • At the Lab (Derekh Hevron 28, Jerusalem, Tel: 02-6292000) DJs and Video art galore, but a special twist here as things will go all George Orwell 1984 style, whatever that means.
  • At Park Canada (Jerusalem, Tel: 1800-350-550), there’s going to be plenty of DJs, plus a barbecue corner for those who can’t wait until tomorrow.
  • In the Nachlaut neighbourhood there’s another free street party (at the end of Corazin Street).

Some of Israel’s biggest performers also get out and strut their stuff on Independence Day eve, usually for free in city centers and usually playing to packed, happy crowds. Always worth checking out, just for the happy atmosphere (but watch out for the kids with their spray foam!). Here’s a quick guide to some of the stars you can catch tonight (note that many stars do more than one town/show, bless ’em!):

If you want to pay a few shekels (149 to be precise) you could always try the ultimate show at the Amphitheater in Rishon Letzion (20 minutes from Tel Aviv), where a whole host of stars will be performing, including Aviv Geffen, Ivri Lider (again!) and Monica Sex.

If you were thinking of hitting one of Israel’s national parks on Independence Day itself, forget it! In fact, forget about anywhere with a patch of grass…every square inch is likely to be taken up by large collections of Israeli families, usually out for a picnic and more than likely pre/post a barbecue (known in Hebrew slang as a “mangal” ). Clouds of smoke from portable grills are a common sight throughout the day.

Happy Independence Day!

 
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