Israeli emissaries bring national holidays to Youngstown JCC

YOUNGSTOWN

Elior and Eran Liss are living links between the Jewish community in the Mahoning Valley and Israel.

The emissaries from Israel work at the Jewish Community Center, where they organize events pertaining to Jewish life and culture.

They’re planning a celebration at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane, to recognize Israel Independence Day.

In Israel, the actual celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut began at sundown today and concludes Thursday evening. It was preceded by Memorial Day, a time of mourning the 23,320 Israelis killed in battle or attacks since 1860, when Jewish settlers first moved outside the walls of Jerusalem.

This is the 67th anniversary of Israel, which became a country in 1948.

“In Israel, the saddest time changes to the happiest time,” Eran said. “The transition is unique.”

In the country, a torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl signaled the end to Memorial Day and the start of Independence Day.

“In Israel, a small and young country, almost everyone either has a family member who was killed or knows someone who died,” Eran said. “There’s a strong connection.”

In the Mahoning Valley, the Independence Day event also will begin with a torch lighting.

Read more about the event in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.