This week, Israeli culture is making a 5,000-mile journey to Penn’s campus.
The Penn Israel Sector within Penn Hillel is sponsoring its annual Penn Israel week. The event began on April 14, and will run until April 19, coinciding with the 65th Israeli Independence Day on April 15.
“[It will] give the Penn campus a taste of what Israel is like,” Hillel Israel Programming Chair and Wharton junior Julia Posluns said.
Hillel opened the week on a somber note by observing Yom Hazikaron, an Israel Memorial Day for fallen soldiers.
On Sunday evening, about 60 students gathered for a memorial ceremony. Participants listened to a lecture by Elisa Levin, whose brother grew up in the United States but fought and died while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Remembrance events continued Monday night with a guest speaker event sponsored by the Penn David Project Fellowship. A U.S. army veteran and a former IDF soldier shared his army experiences with approximately 50 students.
“We were able to show that even though there are differences between life in Israel and life in the [United States], there’s still a bunch of common ground they have,” event organizer and College freshman Alison Freudman said.
After the guest speakers, the Orthodox community organized festive prayers to begin a transition from Yom Hazikaron to Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day.
Celebratory events began on Tuesday. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hillel members gave out free cookies and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on College Green, which was studded with Israeli flags.
“It’s so festive and everyone’s happy and it’s a great thing to celebrate,” Israel Sector Chair and College junior Ilyssa Friedman said. She added that they had bought ice cream for 200 people but quickly ran out.
Later that day Hillel sponsored a free barbecue on the lawn outside of Steinhardt Hall. Besides hamburgers and hot dogs, Hillel provided “kadimahs,” a ball and paddle sport often played on Tel Aviv beaches.
After the barbecue, many convened inside Hillel to listen to Elad Strohmayer, the deputy consul general of Israel in Philadelphia, speak.
“Many ask why our tax money is going so much to Israel but it’s not a one-way street,” Penn Friends of Israel Co-President and College sophomore Jacob Ruden said. “He’s someone who can come and represent the Israeli government while still giving his experiences here in Philadelphia.”
Israel Week events will continue through Friday.
On Wednesday, PennAviv will host Eyal Bino, an Israeli native and founder of the World Wide Investor Network. Thursday events include a movie screening, guest speaker event and canvas spray painting on College Green.
“It’s a challenge to get everyone interested, but that’s why we have such a variety of events,” Posluns said.
Many are particularly excited for Friday night’s Shabbat dinner, which will feature the Israeli comedian Benji Lovitt.
For College freshman Sarah Besnainou, Penn Israel week helps remind her of her friends currently serving in the IDF.
“It’s hard for me to be here and them there,” Besnainou said. “Raising money for them is all I can do — it’s a small country with a big impact on a lot of people.”
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