Send Page to a Friend NECI to bring taste of Israeli life and fun to Foxboro venue   By Kristin Erekson The Jewish Advocate   CJP gears up for May 20 event as organizers expect to draw 7,500 people from the region Anticipation is rising among the Bay State's Jewish community as organizers put the finishing touches on the New England Celebrates Israel event, which will be held at Gillette Stadium later this month. On May 20, nearly 7,500 people are expected to flock to the Patriot's playing grounds in Foxboro for a jam-packed day of "getting to know" the Jewish state through Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine, musical performances, sports and other exhibitions, according to Lisa Wallack, co-chair of New England Celebrates Israel. The large-scale event, scheduled to be held inside the 80,000-square-foot Dana-Farber Field House, is the result of a major revamping of Boston Celebrates Israel, a smaller affair that had its 58th go-round last June. BCI 2006 took place on Father Day's during a brutal heat wave, factors that, when combined with the events' less-than-accessible downtown location, produced a disappointing turnout, the Advocate previously reported. "The main goal of the event this year, as far as I am concerned, is to really educate the people that come about all of the things that Israel contributes to the world that people may not recognize," Wallack said. With the help of other Jewish organizations and community agencies, Combined Jewish Philanthropies is managing the affair and is contributing more than $75,000 to make this one of the best – and free – celebrations of Israel, Wallack added. The philanthropic federation may recoup some of the costs through the sale of $10 raffle tickets for a variety of prizes, such as Patriots tickets. "I think New England Celebrates Israel is going to be a really positive day … I hope we can get people there who don't necessarily show up to these events and get them to have a great feeling," said Myra Kraft, CJP board chair and wife of Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. In addition to filling up on falafel, Mediterranean salads, hot dogs and hamburgers, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to a line-up of cultural music, such as percussionist Ziv Eitan and Israeli-Moroccan singer Smadar Levi. Individuals will also get the chance to watch Israeli men and women's flag football teams in action. And for those less enthusiastic about sports, a technology exhibit created by the Israeli Foreign Ministry will highlight innovation from Israel. For the younger set, activities like camel rides, digging for artifacts and shopping in a mock supermarket will bring a little bit of the Jewish state to Massachusetts. "We are really making this a family-friendly celebration of Israel," said Nancy K. Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston. Finally, for those who don't have a car, complementary community bus transportation is available. Barry Shrage, president of CJP, said this new venue has really given everyone the chance to be creative. Said Shrage: "It's always important to have a place where lots of Jews can get together." For more information, visit www.celebrateisrael.org.