In celebration of Israel Independence Day, Nicolet High School’s student-run Hebrew Club is organizing a first-time event called Israel Fest set for Friday, April 20 from 3-6 p.m.
The event is geared towards both Jewish and non-Jewish students.
Nicolet High School students and teens from all over the area are welcome. At the event, attendees will receive fake shekels to buy traditional Israeli food, such as falafel, and buy from a shuk, or marketplace. There will be a DJ, performance from an Israeli singer, Israeli folk dancing and educational short films about Israel.
The event serves as an introduction to Israeli culture “in a fun and inviting atmosphere,” said Shlichah Keren Weisshaus of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, especially if this is someone’s “first encounter with Israel,” she said.
Every activity at the event is “tied to and inspired by Israeli culture that we love,” said senior Jonah Packman, the cofounder of the Hebrew Club and co-vice president of the Hebrew Honor Society. He was inspired to co-found the Hebrew Club because he felt “the potential for a thriving Jewish life at Nicolet,” he said.
According to Packman, admission to the event is free due to donations from the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. The planning of this event is from the dedicated work of committees at Nicolet and has been “in the works for many months,” Packman said.
The Hebrew Club is in contact with the Federation for marketing support, according to Packman. There will also be a Facebook event page.
Packman sees this as “a large-scale, organized event” and anticipates that it will paint “an enthusiastic and lively picture of Israel.”
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How to go
What: Israel Fest
When: Friday, April 20, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Cafeteria at Nicolet High School, 6701 N. Jean Nicolet Road, Glendale.
Cost: Free