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May 5, 2000/30 Nisan 5760, Vol. 52, No.35
Happy birthday, Israel
ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
Special to Jewish News
Some countries celebrate their birthdays with fireworks. Some mark the anniversary of their founding with festive programs and parties. In Israel, citizens use a flimsy plastic hammer, called a tipesh, to bop each other on the head.
It's their own special - and weird- way of saying, "Happy Birthday, Israel."
Thousands of miles away, we in the United States have yet to take up this tradition. But we can celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut - on May 10, Israel Independence Day - in our own fun, and funny, ways. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Pin the tail on Tel Aviv
More than a few American Jews couldn't really tell you where Tel Aviv is ("somewhere on the west, I think") or exactly where Haifa is located ("up north maybe?"). A fun way for adults and children to learn the geography of Israel is to play "Pin the Tail on ..." with participants aiming their mark for any one of Israel's cities or other highlights (the Golan Heights, Masada, the Dead Sea).
Use a large sheet of paper to make the outline of the State of Israel. Affix it to the wall. Then design a star, or other appropriate shape, with tape on the back.
Blindfold the player (this spares everyone embarrassment) and have him draw a location out of a hat, then try to affix his star to the proper place.
You will, of course, need to give a copy of a real map of Israel to one person sitting out the game who can make sure each person has correctly identified his or her location.
Another way to do this is to use masking tape to design a large map of Israel on the floor, then ask players to stand in each of the cities whose names they have drawn.
Martha Stewart, eat your heart out
You won't feel blue on this holiday if you decorate your home in blue and white, the colors of the flag of Israel. Consider these possibilities:
- Buy white carnations. Leave half in plain water, and place the other half in water into which you have placed a few drops of blue food coloring. As the flowers absorb the blue water, their petals will turn the same color.
- Make a coconut cake, then spell out "Happy Birthday, Israel" in blue jellybeans on top.
- Serve milk to which you've added blue food coloring, or drop some food coloring in the water in which you're cooking pasta.
- Buy a white plastic tablecloth and have your children use permanent blue makers (be careful, as it will be hard to wash this off little hands and clothes) to decorate it.
- Look for blue-and-white straws and party hats.
- Have family members dress in blue and white only.
- Use blue-and-white balloons and streamers to decorate your house.
You are there
Even if you never leave your living room, you can place a note, or petek (the Hebrew word), in the cracks of the Kotel - Western Wall - by visiting www.kotelkam.com on your computer. Here, you'll also learn the history of the Kotel and view live pictures from this holy site.
Biographical quiz
The men and women who built the State of Israel weren't just dedicated Zionists; they were a fascinating collection of figures from around the world. A fun way to learn about them is to play "Guess Who I Am?," a biographical 20 Questions.
Players come to the game with five clues for each person they have researched. (You'll have no trouble finding clues by looking through the Encyclopedia Judaica). Each player then reads his or her clues, starting with the most difficult. When someone thinks he has the answer, he can raise his hand.
Here are two to give you an idea:
A) He was born in Brest-Litovsk. B) He was a commander of the Irgun. C) He founded the Herut Party. D) His wife's name was Aliza. E) He was prime minister of Israel.
ANSWER: Menachem Begin.
A) He died when he was only 44. B) When this person was seen at the Zionist Congress, more than a few in attendance described him as "like a biblical prophet." C) His wife thought he was crazy. D) He worked as a journalist. E) He wrote a pamphlet called "The Jewish State."
ANSWER: Theodor Herzl.
Bring food and a story
Host an Israel Independence Day party for your favorite Zionist friends. Ask everyone to bring something to eat, of course, and also invite them to come to show or tell something about the State of Israel.
You might be surprised by the souvenirs your friends chose to bring back from their trip, or to learn of their odd adventure while at the Dead Sea.
Guests who have not been to Israel can find an astonishing fact that will amaze everyone, or bring a favorite book by an Israeli author, for example.
The $5 scavenger hunt
Pair up party guests or family members so that everyone has a ride. Then give each participant $5 (or more if you're feeling generous) and challenge them all to come up with something unusual that was made in Israel. A few places to look:
- Middle-Eastern shops often have an interesting collection of foods and drinks from Israel.
- Beauty-supply stores may carry Ahava products - lotions, creams and other items - made in Israel.
- Check the specialty or kosher aisle of your local grocery store.
- See if your bookstore carries imported maps or other items.
Out back in Israel
Small children will have a great Israel Independence Day if you let them experience a little bit of Israel right in their own backyard.
- Have an archaeological dig in your sandbox. Bury tiny treasures in advance for them to unearth.
- Plant a tree - preferably one that actually grows in the State of Israel.
- Host a dance class where children dance the hora.
- Create Banyas-like waterfalls by tossing a hose over a clothesline or tree.
- Make your own little Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv by topping an outdoor table with a pretty cloth. Play Israeli music and serve almond juice, a popular drink in Israel (flavor milk with a bit of almond extract) and falafel.
- Create your own Western Wall (Kotel) by drawing blocks on a large piece of brown construction paper.
- Set up a small Technion (science university in Haifa) where your children learn a few fascinating science facts.
- Go deep-sea diving off the coast of your own Eilat - inside your backyard pool. Your children will be delighted if you provide them with some unusual plastic fish to discover.
- Host a Maccabiah (Olympic-like event) with sports activities.
Taste of Israel
In Israel, Independence Day typically is celebrated with a large backyard barbecue. Americans already know all about barbecue, so why not try an Israeli food this day instead?
Chances are you've had falafel, but what about schwarma, Turkish coffee, Wizotsky tea, leben (Israeli yogurt), or sachlav (Israeli dessert made from orchid bulbs)? A local Middle-Eastern store may carry some of these.
Come in costume
Ask children and guests to come to dinner wearing the clothing of someone who might have immigrated to Israel (except Americans, which would just be too boring). Also, encourage them to learn a bit about the country from which they are coming, including the community's special customs, situation for Jews.
Elizabeth Applebaum is a free-lance writer based in Michigan. She wrote this article for the on-line magazine Jewish Family & Life! www.jewishfamily.com.
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