Hillel at Binghamton wished Israel a happy birthday in style on Wednesday by hosting it’s fifth annual Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day, celebration.
The three-hour celebration, which commemorated the 65th anniversary of Israel’s independence, was filled with activities including a velcro wall, bouncy house and jewelry and candle making stands.
Each attendee had the option to buy a “passport” to go around to different stations with different types of food including shwarma, pita, falafel, shnitzel and Israeli salads.
Andrew Topal, the president of Hillel and a junior double-majoring in political science and economics, said the event helped bring the community together.
“Forgetting about all the students who attend the event, you also have many professors, community members, and small children who come as well,” Topal said. “I think it’s easy to get caught in this bubble. At the end of the day everyone comes to celebrate and have a good time.”
Topal also said the event was significant in celebrating the culture of Israel and its accomplishments thus far.
“It is Israel’s independence day for its 65th year, its 65th birthday if you will, and basically there are so many people on and off campus who have a connection to Israel in a variety of ways that we feel it is important to give back,” he said. “Every year we make this huge event to celebrate that connection and everything Israel has contributed to society for its 65 years at large, and people always have a great time.”
Derrick Conyers, a junior double-majoring in political science and philosophy, politics and law, thought the event was fun even for those who weren’t personally connected to the celebration.
“I think the celebration is going very well since they have many fun and exciting stations for people to enjoy even if they are not part of the Jewish community,” he said. “They really went out of their way to make this a very inclusive event as well as symbolic of [Israel’s] independence, which made it an even greater celebration.”
Corey Mossberg, a freshman majoring in psychology, enjoyed the celebration and the chance to meet new people.
“My RA encouraged me to come, and I am having a great time so far,” Mossberg said. “They have a lot of interesting food, games and hot girls.”
Jacob Dorfman, a junior double-majoring in political science and philosophy, politics and law, also said he had a lot of fun at the celebration.
“Yeah, I love the event,” Dorfman said. “This is a huge day for the community. I had a lot of fun at the basketball inflatable game, the velcro house seems awesome and I even had a bracelet made with my name.”