This past April, The Great Danes for Israel, a CAMERA-supported group, held an Israel Fest along with a number of other pro-Israel groups on the SUNY Albany campus. Hundreds of students participated in the event, including many with no prior knowledge of Israel.

Source: The Great Danes for Israel Facebook page.
Source: The Great Danes for Israel Facebook page.

It was a “huge celebration of love,” according to Aviv Zommer, one of the organizers, who was very happy with the event’s turnout.

Love was indeed in the air at this event, but also in the art. Artists 4 Israel, an organization that educates and provides awareness about Israel through art, set up a spray paint mural project at the Israel Fest. With the help of two artists, students were given the opportunity to express artistically their vision of Israel.

Completed mural now displayed permanently at the Student Association Office.
Completed mural now displayed permanently at the Student Association Office.

The event included other stations as well, revealing the diversity of the people and the land of Israel. The Interfaith Alliance set up a necklace-making station. The UAlbany Pride Alliance set up a Tel Aviv station—a city known for its beach as well as its LGBTQ-friendly reputation. A virtual reality glasses station and a Middle Eastern reptiles station presented other fun aspects of Israel. In addition, an ice cream station and an Israeli marketplace station left the students with a sweet taste of modern and traditional Israeli culture.

UAlbany Israel Fest

The study abroad office set up a station, informing students about opportunities to see the country for themselves. Students learned about semester abroad programs as well as sponsored trips to Israel.

The event was a great success and Great Danes for Israel made a video to remember it.

 

arrow-rightArtboard 2arrowArtboard 1awardArtboard 3bookletArtboard 2brushArtboard 2buildingArtboard 2business-personArtboard 2calendarArtboard 2caret-downcheckArtboard 10checkArtboard 10clockArtboard 2closeArtboard 2crownArtboard 2documentArtboard 2down-arrowArtboard 2facebookArtboard 1gearArtboard 2heartArtboard 2homeArtboard 2instagramArtboard 1keyArtboard 2locationArtboard 2paperclipArtboard 1pencilArtboard 2personArtboard 1pictureArtboard 2pie-chartArtboard 2planeArtboard 2presentationArtboard 2searchArtboard 2speech-bubbleArtboard 1starArtboard 2street-signArtboard 2toolsArtboard 2trophyArtboard 1twitterArtboard 1youtubeArtboard 1