'When I’m 64': Israeli missions host parties

With parties, concerts and events, Israeli embassies and Jewish communities world-wide celebrate Israel's Independence Day.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Independence Day barbecue 370 (photo credit: Tanya Sermer)
Independence Day barbecue 370
(photo credit: Tanya Sermer)
Israeli embassies and Jewish communities around the world celebrated Israel’s Independence Day on Thursday with countless parties, concerts and events despite a spate of attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets carried out recently.
In New York, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor entertained dozens of guests at UN headquarters in Manhattan by playing a trombone rendition of The Beatles’ “When I’m 64,” honoring the country’s 64th anniversary.
“Israel’s a phenomenal success story on every level,” said Prosor. “A small country that made an historic and wonderful voyage that is today at the vanguard of scientific development and technologist. We have good reason to party… To life.”
Israeli missions around the world have been on high alert since February when an Israeli was wounded in a car bombing in New Delhi, India and another explosive device targeting Jews was dismantled in Tblisi, Georgia. Israel accused Iran of planning the attacks in an attempt to avenge the mysterious killings of its nuclear scientists, which it blames on Israel.
In Buenos Aires, the site of two large-scale bombings of Jewish and Israeli targets in 1992 and 1994, leaders of the local Jewish umbrella group AMIA met with the Israeli ambassador in Buenos Aires to mark the occasion and express their support for the Jewish State.
A larger gathering organized by the Organizacion Sionista Argentina is set to take place next Monday at the Luna Park, a local theme park.
While many Jewish communities marked Israel’s big day with parties held at home, the Jewish community of Miami made a special effort to celebrate it in Israel.
Some 700 residents of the Sunshine State took part in a sing along with singer Shuly Natan at the Israel Museum on Wednesday night.
The Floridians are in Israel as part of a trip organized by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the largest single Jewish federation visit to the country in over a decade, a spokesperson said.
One of the bigger Israeli-themed events outside its borders will take place in Los Angeles on Sunday where thousands are expected to attend the Celebrate Israel Festival, a fete celebrating all that is blue and white.
Tickets for the festival held at Century City featuring singer Eyal Golan, Israeli food stalls and activities for children are going at $15