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Here’s how New York City is celebrating Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day
(New York Jewish Week) — Happy birthday to the state of Israel, which celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding this week. Despite the tension surrounding the Israeli government’s proposed judicial overhaul, a host of New York Jewish institutions are feteing this major milestone.
Beginning Monday evening, Israeli and Jewish communities around the world will mourn and honor fallen IDF soldiers as part of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s memorial day. After a transitional ceremony in the evening, where the mood shifts from somber to celebratory, communities will begin to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day.
(These holidays both follow the Hebrew calendar, and are marked each year on the 4th and 5th of Iyar. This year, Yom Hazikaron begins tonight, followed by Yom Haaztmaut on Tuesday night. In 1948, the day of Israel’s founding corresponded with May 14.)
From nightclubs to comedy shows to prayer services, read on for the ways in which New Yorkers are honoring these special days.
April 24
Yom Hazikaron Memorial at the Streicker Center
The Streicker Center at Temple Emanu-El and The Consulate General of Israel are holding a Yom Hazikaron memorial service on Monday that will honor “the soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the State of Israel and the victims of terrorist attacks.” The free, public service will take place at the Streicker Center (1 East 65th St.) at 6:00 p.m. Registration required.
April 25
A Conversation with Olympian AJ Edelman at Temple Shaaray Tefila
The captain of the Israeli bobsled team and a member of the Israeli Olympic team in 2018, AJ Edelman will join Rabbi Jill Ruben for an evening of conversation at 6:30 p.m. at Shaaray Tefila (250 East 79th St.). The bobsled that’s used by the team will be on display. The in-person event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.
Panel Discussion: A Celebration of Israeli Movies & Television
Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan are partnering to host an evening of snacks and discussion. The panel discussion will include Israeli actors Hani Furstenberg (“Campfire,” “Asylum City” and “The Golem”) and Alon Aboutboul (“Beaufort,” “Ricochet” and “The Dark Night”). Isaac Zablocki, senior director of the Carole Zabar Center for Film at the JCC Manhattan, will host. Schmooze begins at 6:15 p.m., and the discussion begins at 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Rodeph Sholom (7 West 83rd St.). Tickets start at $18; register here.
Israel Independence Program with Manhattan Jewish Experience
To mark both Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut, the Manhattan Jewish Experience (131 West 86th St.) will begin the evening commemorating fallen Israel Defense Forces soldiers with speeches from IDF soldiers and Rabbi Mark Wildes. After a Tekes Maavar, or transition, ceremony with songs and prayers, the night will turn into an “Israeli Shuk Party” with live music, falafel, dessert and cocktails. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m., tickets from $10. Register here.
April 26
Israeli Folk Dance at 92NY
Join 92NY and Ruth Goodman, director of the Israeli Dance Institute, for an open session of Israeli folk dancing and fun at the Upper East Side community center (1395 Lexington Ave.). The dancing sessions take place every Wednesday at 8:15. p.m. Tickets are $15 per session. Find more information and buy tickets here.
Yom Haatzmaut at Nebula
On Wednesday night, join nightlife events company J-Vibe at the NYC nightclub Nebula (135 West 41st St.) for a night of Israeli DJs, house music and dancing to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut. Doors open at 10 p.m., tickets start at $18. Find more information here.
April 27
Yom Haatzmaut Comedy Night: Israel 75 Live with Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt
On Thursday, join Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (3 West 68th St.) for a night of lighthearted comedy about Israel featuring Israeli-American comedians Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt, co-authors of “Israel 201.” The two-hour comedy show begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for college students and $18 general admission. Find more information here.
April 30
Israel at 75 Birthday Party on the Upper East Side
On Sunday, Park Avenue Synagogue, Central Synagogue and 92NY will co-host a birthday party for Israel featuring games, music and food from Israeli restaurants. The event, open to all and ideal for families with young children, will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Park Avenue Synagogue (50 E 87th St.). Tickets from $18, register here.
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The post Here’s how New York City is celebrating Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Defense Minister Moves to Shut Down Israel’s Historic Army Radio Station
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz looks on, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
i24 News – Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said he plans to bring a proposal to the government on Sunday to close Galei Tzahal, the Israel Defense Forces’ radio station, ending a broadcast operation that has been on the air for more than seven decades.
If approved, the shutdown would take effect on March 1, 2026.
The announcement has triggered sharp backlash from journalists, legal experts, and civil society groups, who warn the move could have far-reaching implications for press freedom. Tal Lev-Ram, the station’s commander, has already signaled that Galei Tzahal’s leadership intends to challenge the decision in the High Court of Justice. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara also voiced concern, cautioning that the plan could amount to political intervention in public media and pose risks to freedom of expression.
Criticism has also come from the Israeli Press Council, headed by former Supreme Court justice Hanan Melcer, which labeled the proposed closure unlawful.
The council argued that dismantling a public broadcaster requires explicit legislation passed by the Knesset, not a government decision alone. Advocacy organizations, including the Movement for Quality Government, said they are preparing legal petitions as well.
Katz defended the initiative by citing the findings of a professional review committee, which concluded that a military-run radio station broadcasting political and current affairs programming to the general public represents a “democratic anomaly.”
He argued that Galei Tzahal has moved beyond its original mandate of serving soldiers and their families.
The committee examined a range of alternatives, such as converting the station into a music-only outlet or partially privatizing its operations.
Ultimately, it recommended either closing the station altogether or significantly scaling it back by removing political content. Katz noted that Galgalatz, the popular music station operated by the army, would continue broadcasting under the proposed plan.
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Trilateral Summit: Israel, Greece, Cyprus to Discuss Regional Security
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in the state memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Iron Swords War on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on Oct. 16, 2025. Photo: Alex Kolomoisky/POOL/Pool via REUTERS
i24 News – Jerusalem will host a trilateral summit tomorrow, bringing together leaders from Israel, Greece, and Cyprus to discuss strengthening security cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean.
The summit follows reports by Amichai Stein of i24NEWS last week that the three countries are considering the formation of a joint rapid-response military unit.
The Israeli Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with each of his counterparts before convening the full trilateral session, which will conclude with a joint press statement outlining the summit’s outcomes.
Media reports indicate that the initiative is driven in part by concerns in Athens over Turkey’s growing military activity in the region. The proposed rapid-response force is expected to enhance coordination, readiness, and overall security among the three allies.
Analysts say the meeting could solidify Israel, Greece, and Cyprus’s strategic partnership and signal a more unified approach to regional defense challenges.
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Justice Department Restores Trump Photo to Public Database of Epstein Files
An exterior image from the U.S. Virgin Islands property on Little St. James once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. via U.S. Justice Department
A photo of US President Donald Trump that had been removed from the cache of Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Department of Justice was restored on Sunday after officials determined none of Epstein’s victims were in the image, the department said.
The photo showing a desk with an open drawer containing a photo of Trump with various women was flagged by the Southern District of New York for review to protect potential victims.
“After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction,” the Justice Department said on X on Sunday.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said earlier on Sunday his office removed the photo because of concerns about women in the photo. “It has nothing to do with President Trump,” Blanche said during a Sunday morning appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.”
The Justice Department released thousands of documents on Friday related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who committed suicide in 2019. But it has drawn criticism, including from some Republicans, over extensive redactions and few documents mentioning Trump despite his well-publicized friendship with Epstein.
During an ABC News interview on Sunday, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for a “full and complete investigation as to why the document production has fallen short of what the law clearly required.”
Up to 16 photos, including the desk drawer Trump image, were removed on Saturday from the Justice Department website, according to The New York Times, NPR and the Associated Press, although Reuters could not independently confirm the removals.
The Justice Department said on Sunday it acted with an abundance of caution after receiving requests from alleged victims and their lawyers to remove information.
Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing and has denied knowing about Epstein’s crimes.