In recognition of Israel’s 75^th anniversary, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia raised an Israeli flag out front of City Hall on May 11.

Spokesperson for the Israeli Consulate Itay Milner and Director of the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council Jason Holtzman joined City Representative Sheila Hess and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson for the dedication and ceremony.

Harriet and Mark Levin, parents of the late IDF soldier and local fallen hero Michael Levin who gave his life protecting Israel, raised the flag and shared their reflections on their son.

As the flag was raised, two students from the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy performed both the “Star Spangled Banner” and the Israeli national anthem, “HaTikvah.”

The flag raising was one of several Israel 75^th anniversary commemorations that the Jewish Federation hosted. Other events included A Taste of Israel Festival, Community Mitzvah Day, and a series of Shabbat Gatherings. All of the Israel 75 celebrations were created to honor the Jewish State’s founding, culture, and the beauty and diversity of the people who live there.

Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through the various grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we invest more than $40 million each fiscal year to care for and protect those in need, and support a thriving and vibrant Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world.

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Click here to see a recording of the Israeli Flag Raising Ceremony. You can help the Jewish Federation uplift and support communities in Greater Philadelphia, in Israel and around the world by clicking here to make a gift today.