9,000 celebrate Israel at Foxboro sports complex
By Raphael Kohan
The Jewish Advocate
May 25, 2007
Annual Israel event attracts largest attendance to date
Israel supporters came out in droves to the home of the New England Patriots on Sunday to participate in the revamped New England Celebrates Israel event. Held at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium, the event – known formerly as Boston Celebrates Israel – was an all-day bazaar, showcasing the best of what both the Jewish state and the local Jewish community have to offer.
Presented by Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston and Gillette Stadium, the event kicked off at 1 p.m. And while an early rainstorm dampened many attendees on their way from the security tent to the indoor facility, the mood inside the complex was festive.
"I've been in this field house many times," said Myra Kraft, chairwoman of the board at CJP, "and I can honestly say that I've never seen … a better example of a community – or a team – coming together for a purpose."
The Dana-Farber Field House, the Patriots' practice facility, was donated for use at the event by Pats owner Robert Kraft, who – along with his wife, Myra – welcomed the crowd of more than 9,000 from the main stage.
The robust crowd poured into the 80,000 square-foot field house, and had a vast menu of activities, vendors and stimuli to keep them occupied.
"You just have to follow the herd," said Brookline resident Steve Spear, who came to the event with his wife and children. Spear added that he was enjoying the celebratory atmosphere and this year's venue. "There was more security than for a football game, but better parking," he said.
Across the center of the complex, about 90 vendor booths promoted local organizations, synagogues, summer camps, Israeli tourism and technologies from the Jewish state. Other booths in the "Shop Israel" aisles allowed attendees the opportunity to take home handmade jewelry and original artwork.
The vendors attracted a high level of interest, and traversing the rows of booths gave all in attendance a sense of what it is like to negotiate a Jerusalem shuk.
Braving the marketplace crowds, a man on stilts – who called himself The Great Benafuchi – purported to be the world's biggest Jew.
"I'm getting a bloody nose up here," he said. "And I keep spitting food on people." He did concede, however, that he had the best view in the house.
On the far side of the booths, beyond replica constructions of the Jerusalem Gates, were games and activities for the young and the young at heart. The moonwalk, inflatable obstacle course, camel rides, kickboxing lessons and miniature basketball hoops kept thousands of athletes and adventurous attendees busy.
And according to 5-year-old Yoni Preuss, the games lived up to their billing. "I loved it," he said.
His father, Gil Preuss, vice-president of strategy and planning for CJP, reveled in the unique mix of people who came together for this celebration.
"The thing I like best is that it brings together all different parts of the community: Reform, Orthodox, Russian," Preuss said of the event. "This is a chance to celebrate something we all love together, Israel."
The annual Israel celebration event, which moved its location from downtown Boston, did so in part to keep away protesters, who have asserted their presence with aggressive rallies in recent years. Though the day was incident-free for the most part, a group of protesters briefly disrupted the indoor festivities by raising banners that read: "Israeli independence = Palestinian dispossession."
The demonstrators drew a small crowd, which obstructed the view of the banners by opening their umbrellas. The protesters were quickly escorted from the event.
According to the Consul General of Israel to New England Nadav Tamir, however, Sunday's festivities were about honoring Israel and the positive contributions of the Jewish state.
"I always knew the Boston community supports Israel in times of crisis," said Tamir. "It's also great to see they can support her achievements – the arts, culture, food, innovations and Israeli sports. It couldn't be better."
Israeli athletics were on display Sunday in the form of men's and women's flag football teams. Each team took on U.S. flag football squads in exhibition matches held just outside the field house.
"We came to show everyone what we've got," said women's team member Emily Neilson, a Tennessee native who now lives in Jerusalem. "Most of us are originally from the U.S., so it's nice that America and Israel are joining together for something like this."
According to Lisa Wallack, who co-chaired the event along with Jonathan Levitt, this celebration sets a new standard.
"I don't know how we can top this, to be honest," she said. "I'm happy to be a small part of making this day a huge success."
