Israel @ 60
National Israel @ 60 Yom Ha’atzmaut Shabbat
This year, the 5th of Iyar falls on a Shabbat. Officially, Yom Ha’atzmaut is being celebrated the Thursday before, on May 8, but that Shabbat (Parshat Emor) is the prime opportunity to unite the OU community in celebration and appreciation of Israel.
The OU will provide rabbis and shul administrators with materials to easily implement National Israel @ 60 Shabbat in your shul.
• Suggested Schedule: Consider a Friday night Yom Ha’atzmaut dinner or oneg and a melaveh malka. We will send you more details.
• Tefillah li-shlom ha’medinah poster:You will receive a beautifully designed OU poster with the prayer for the welfare of Israel. This will be a lasting reminder to keep Israel in mind throughout the year.
• Youth Program: A youth program will be sent to shuls with adequate time for your youth director to review and implement. This educational program will be interactive and include Israel related games.
• Educational Materials: Source materials to be sent to shuls include materials about Israel’s sanctity, Rabbi Jack Abramowitz’s Israel pamphlet and shiur suggestions.
• Drasha: The OU will provide rabbis with a model sermon.
Israel @ 60 Shabbat Materiasl (PDF)
60 Days for 60 Years Israel: A Commemoration and Celebration
Based on the highly successful Holocaust-themed 60 Days for 6 Million, Tribe, a division of Britain’s (Orthodox) United Synagogue, is publishing an inspiring commemorative and celebratory book to coincide with Israel’s 60th anniversary - 60 Days for 60 Years: Israel. The book contains 60 inspirational essays by Jewish educators, historians, writers and scholars, including Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, Alan M. Dershowitz, Elie Wiesel, Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Paysach Krohn and others
Believing that it will enhance the meaning and significance of this occasion, we are making this publication available to s at a specially discounted price of $6 per book with a minimum of 25 books.
Emergency Field Beit Knesset Kit
The IDF Rabbinate has designed Beit Knesset field kits for army units. The kits contain everything necessary for a shul (except the Sefer Torah), such as a pocket size Torah library, Siddurim, Chumashim, talitot, tefillin, kippot, Shabbat candles, a kiddush and havdalah set, Shofar, Chanukah menorah, and even 100 meters of string for an eruv. The case can be carried by two people and supplies chayalim with the basic requirements to pray with a minyan and receive inner strength when they learn Torah in the brief moments of respite from combat. Each Emergency Field Kit Beit Knesset costs $1,800, and we encourage your shul to donate one or more kits in honor of Israel @ 60. Contact the Department of Synagogue Services at 212-613-8165 for additional information.
OU Biennial National Convention
Due to the uncertainty about the future of Jerusalem, the OU has changed the location of its 2008 Biennial Convention to Jerusalem once again. The Convention will take place Thanksgiving week, Sunday, November 23 to Sunday, November 30, and it will be the climactic event of a year-long period of OU activities to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary year of the State of Israel. We encourage you to plan ahead and select a shul delegation led by the rabbi.
Israel Missions
The OU will help plan the itinerary for your shul mission to Israel. Contact Allyson Gur-Aryeh at or 212-613-8124 for more information about Israel missions.
Take Five for Torah
Take Five for Torah is OU Radio’s daily five minute dvar Torah given by rabbis throughout North America and Israel. The divrei Torah leading up to Yom Ha’atzmaut will be about Israel. If you are interested in giving one of these divrei Torah, contact Josh Vogel, Program Assistant in the Department of Community Services, at or 212-613-8225.
OU Israel Center
The OU’s Israel @ 60 campaign will also work to benefit the needs of the OU Israel Center. Potential areas of partnership include raising awareness about OU Israel programs, raising funds, partnering shuls in America with shuls in Israel, and implementing a simultaneous Yom Ha’atzmaut Shabbat program in Israel and America. Click here for additional information about the OU Israel Center.
NCSY Israel Edition Bencher
A special Israel edition of the NCSY Bencher will be published in honor of Israel’s 60th anniversary. Shuls are encouraged to purchase them as a means of spreading awareness and appreciation of Israel and encouraging people to pause and think about Israel each time they use the Bencher.
Walk the Land
The Afikim Foundation, in solidarity with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, is organizing a global walk to unite Jews in solidarity with Israel. The Afikim Foundation will supply communities with the planning and participation materials. www.walktheland.org.