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Above, the St. Louis Yom Ha’atzmaut Israel Independence Day gathering was held Tuesday evening, May 14 at the Chesterfield Amphitheatre. A festive crowd of more than 300 enjoyed music, food, games and fellowship during a mostly rain-free evening. Highlights were a dance routine by students from Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School and a performance by Israeli singer Yuval Halaf. Clockwise from top left, students from Mirowitz perform on stage during the event; Rabbi Mike Rovinsky of Jewish Student Union hands out popcorn to guests; Yuval Halaf performs. For a gallery of images,visit stljewishlight.org/multimedia. ALL PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN
Remembrance & Celebration St. Louis remembers hostages, fallen soldiers, on Israel’s Memorial Day, and celebrates on Israeli Independence Day Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) was commemorated in a solemn ceremony on Sunday, May 12, at the JCC’s Staenberg Family Complex. Members of the community filled the audience to capacity to remember fallen Israeli soldiers. The event was particularly meaningful coming six months after the Hamas attack on Israel. In addition to the prayer for soldiers of the IDF, the program included a special prayer for the hostages. The entrance to the auditorium also included a simulation of the Bibas family home in Israel, where the Yarden family was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. For a gallery of images,visit stljewishlight.org/multimedia. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
READ MORE INSIDE Israeli scouts spent 10-days in St. Louis, staying with local Jewish host families, visiting Jewish schools and strengthening the community’s ties to Israel. See story on page 6.
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