Kids & Family
Centrally located at Yerba Buena Gardens
60 years of Israeli Achievements Interactive Exhibit
"A Taste of the Best of Israel," a fascinating interactive exhibit, comes to IIG for the first time. The comprehensive display presents sixty years of Israeli achievement ranging from agriculture, art and culture, to the environment, business and industry, medicine, and peace and the mitzvah of Tikun Olam. A sampling of companion activities designed to intrigue visitors of all ages includes elaborate mind games from the Weizmann Institute; a Lego irrigation project demonstrating how Israelis make the desert bloom; and a replica of Israel's Scroll of Independence inviting visitors to add their signatures to those of David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir -- and to suggest improvements! Other exhibits challenge participants to design aid missions to the world's needy; join arts and crafts workshops spotlighting Israel's multicultural society; or compete in a game of Israeli Trivial Pursuit incorporating the exhibit's information.
East Garden of Yerba Buena Gardens
Sponsored by Be’chol Lashon
West African Drum Circle and Dancing with Rhythm Village
People have been playing drums for inspiration, health, and social harmony since
before recorded history. Rhythm Village and its founder Gabriel Harris will lead a drumming workshop as part of the entertainment section of our area. Rhythm Village is dedicated to bringing the benefits of drumming to the modern world and help participants to reach a higher level of cohesion and enthusiasm through rhythm. The organization is committed to creating positive change by using rhythm and music to diminish social, racial, cultural, and economic boundaries.
Naby Bangoura, dancer, teacher, and choreographer, will teach traditional dances from Guinea, West Africa. In a safe environment, where the only real mistake is to hold back, participants can experience the synergetic power of dancing to live drumming.
Arts & Crafts
Tzedakah Boxes
One of the most special and important Jewish traditions is the giving of gifts to help others, called tzedakah. Tzedakah, or charity, shows gratitude, care, and friendship to the members of our community. Participants will be able to ecorate their own tzedakah boxes to celebrate this tradition of giving.the eastern wall of the home to remind the viewer of Jerusalem). Shavuot paper cuts featuring plants and flowers were an Eastern European tradition known as shavuoslech.
Latino Pacel Picado and Flowers
The crafts area will have tissue paper to create festive spring flowers and decorative paper cuts, called papel picado in Spanish and shavuoslech in Yiddish!
One of the names for tissue paper in Mexico is papel de China. In the 16th century Chinese paperwork was imported to Mexico, where it became the basis for many folk art forms. Examples of papel picado, colorful strings of paper cut decorations used for holiday celebrations, date back to the early 20th century. Tissue paper flowers are another popular decoration in Mexico.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, European and North African Jews used paper cuts as sukkah decorations, birthing amulets, and Mizrachim (wall hanging that is hung on).
Asian Block Printing
In the Torah, Shavuot is celebrated as the Festival of the First Fruits during the spring harvest. Asian cultures have also traditionally celebrated the first harvest of the year.
This is an opportunity to make beautiful block prints of typical bikkurim (harvest fruits and vegetables) from China and Israel and discover the links between Shavuot and Asian celebrations.
Digital Photo Booth
This exciting visual project will use digital cameras and photo printers to instantly capture and share the diversity of Israel in the Gardens. Participants can take the photos home as souvenirs of Israel’s 60th birthday and the photographs will also be included in an online collage illustrating the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of the Jewish people.
Other Entertainment
We will feature Dan Chan the Magic Man or Circus.
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All day at the Metreon on the 2nd floor (near the Action theatre)
Poster tales/Krazot Mesaprot
Israel’s story told through its Independence Day posters. The Jewish schools around the Bay Area have been working to produce the children’s version of Israel @60 posters, and these posters will be exhibited at Israel in the Gardens as part of our Israel at 60 celebrations.
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11:00 a.m. - 12:3 p.m.
Children Performances
Students of Jewish day schools, with support from the Israel Education Initiative (IEI), will present music, dance and drama interpretations of Israel@60.
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Let’s celebrate Israel with music with Isaac Zones
A music session at Israel in the Gardens for the little ones! More...
