|
"�����������"� (PHILLYISRAELIM) ��� ����� ����
������ ��� ����� ����, ����� ����� ��� ������� ������ ���������.� ����� ������ ��� ����� ����� �� ����� �������
�� ����� �������� ����� ������� ��������, ������� ���������.
PhillyIsraelim began as an organization devoted to serving the needs of the Israeli population currently living in the Delaware Valley, but quickly developed into a major organization promoting Israel, its culture and image, both amongst the Israeli expatriate community, as well as with all those who feel a special connection with Israel. Begun in March, 2005 in response to the need for significant outreach to the Israeli community, PhillyIsraelim has outgrown its meager volunteer beginnings. PhillyIsraelim is now co-sponsoring major Jewish events with well-established Philadelphia organizations, such as the Israel Consulate General's Israeli House, or Bayit Israeli, the Center for Israel and Overseas of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Gratz College, Hillel of Greater Philadelphia and many more.
Sharona Durry and Daniel Leon are the Co-founders.
Our Mission Statement:
To
serve the local Israeli-American and American Jewish communities with
the goal of fostering ties between the two communities and their
members and to create ties with them and the State of Israel by
positive, non-political programs emphasizing person-to-person
relationships.
Vision:
PhillyIsraelim pursues its mission with cultural exchanges, art, music and performance, speakers and social gatherings.By
offering programs in both English and Hebrew, PhillyIsraelim tailors
events to both the Israeli-American and American Jewish communities. PhillyIsraelim
brings speakers and entertainers from Israel to venues in the Delaware
Valley, as well as hosting local talent. Speakers, film screenings,
book groups and guided discussion groups not only promote a cultural
but also an educational exchange.
Programming is not limited to any specific age group.It
will include events specifically designed for school age youth, young
adults and seniors, as well as professionals, business people,
educators and community leaders.
Values:
PhillyIsraelim
is designed to bridge a growing gap between the American and Israeli
Jewish communities resulting from an essential lack of familiarity and
inter-personal contact. It is not intended to replace the missions or
efforts of any other currently operating Jewish organizations.It is the
desire, intent and practice of PhillyIsraelim to work in close
association and cooperation with existing groups and organizations to
help achieve its goals and further those of like minded organizations
for the common good of the Jewish community and the State of Israel.
The
uniqueness of PhillyIsraelim in contributing to the common efforts of
the constellation of existing Jewish organizations is its core
membership of dedicated Israeli-Americans and supporters seeking to
share with their Jewish-American brethren their unique experiences,
fervor and prospective. An added benefit of this involvement is the
ability of these members to bring an Israeli cultural ambiance to the
events, creating or renewing the "feeling of Israel" for both Israelis,
former visitors to Israel, and those considering such a visit.
SELECTED EVENTS & PAST ACHIEVEMENTS:
A TRIBUTE: April 16, 2005 -- A night for celebrating the life and work of Israel�s foremost composers and song writers Naomi Shemer, Uzi Chitmam and Ehud Manor, at Beth Sholom Congregation; 400 people in attendance.
SARIT HADAD CONCERT: September 4, 2005 -- Sarit Hadad (proclaimed to be Israel�s #1 singer 3 years in a row) gave a concert at the Trocadero Theater; 500 people attended.
A TASTE OF SHABBAT PROGRAMS: Israeli families in the ElkinsPark area are joining together to celebrate Shabbat with Friday night dinners. This is the first of many area programs we hope to develop.
SHALOM PARK: Israeli families gathered together to speak Hebrew, play sports, savor Israeli food and enjoy live music.
SUKKOT: Sunday, October 16th, 2005 � Learning about Sukkot at Mikveh Israel and decorating a sukkah; one dozen families learned together.
SUKKOT CELEBRATION: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 -- Celebrating Sukkot at Fez Moroccan Restaurant with great Moroccan food and Karaoke; 100 people attended
MOVIE SCREENING OF �OUT FOR LOVE-BE BACK SHORTLY�: Saturday, November 18, 2005 -- University of Pennsylvania; movie screening followed by a discussion with film director Dan Katzir.
BOOK CLUB MEETINGS: Bringing together Israelis interested in reading and debating Israeli literature.
AMERICAN-ISRAEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Assisting in forming the Emerging Leader Division, bringing together Israeli business people with American business people and emerging leaders from our community for networking opportunities.
THE IDAN RAICHEL PROJECT: March 18, 2006 -- Organized in cooperation with Hillel of Greater Philadelphia at the Philadelphia International House; 450 attended.
WE STAND WITH ISRAEL - Solidarity rally in LovePark, July 24, 2006 -- Together with other organizations, PhillyIsraelim supported and helped the Center for Israel and Overseas of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia in making the rally possible. Our support for Israel as Americans and Jews during this crisis reflected the community�s unwavering support for Israel and her fight against the terrorism of Hezbollah and Hamas. It was good to know that during these difficult times we can come together united and strong as one community.
TAKE ACTION FOR ISRAEL: Aug. 24, 2006 --At Beth Sholom, a PhillyIsraelim event co-sponsored with Kehillah of Old York Road, a Jewish Federation Community Collaborative; supporters took the time to write family and friends in Israel and IDF soldiers to express their support; packages were assembled to be delivered by Robin and Steve Katz to soldiers in Israel; video clip messages were created and sent to Israel; letters were written to our elected officials in support of Israel; live broadcasting to show our support to Israel on Comcast and Channel 10; funds were raised for ARMDI www.afmda.org - $4000 and $22,000 to Federation's Israel Emergency Fund; more than 500 people attended.
MOVIE SCREENING - "MOVIES ON WHEELS"
FIRST MOVIE - Journey of Vaan Nguyen.
The Bayit Israeli & PhillyIsraelim presented an Israeli film The Journey of Vaan Nguyen on Monday, October 30, 2006, at 7PM at Perelman Jewish Day School Stern Center ∙ Followed by a discussion in Hebrew with Leo Vinovezky, Consul, Consulate General of Israel, Philadelphia, and the films director, Duki Dror. The event is co-sponsored by Perelman Jewish Day School Stern Center.
SECOND MOVIE - �Ushpizin�
PhillyIsraelim, the Israeli House and Gratz College screened the film, �Ushpizin� on Sut. Nov. 4th. Ushpizin is a winner of the 2004 Israeli Film Critics Award for Best Picture. Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum- President of Gratz College welcomed General Counsul of Philadelphia - Uriel Palti and Co-Producer and Director of the film, Gidi Dar, spoke after the screening, which was at Gratz College.
THIRD MOVIE: series Current trends in Israeli Films:
Bayit Israeli and PhillyIsraelim presented "Movies on Wheels" series Current trends in Israeli Film: Israel through the Eyes of Generation X with Udi Ben Saadya Wednesday on January 17, 2006 @ 7:00 PM Perelman Jewish Day School Stern Center 49 Haverford Rd. Wynnewood., PA 19096. Israeli writer and theatre director Udi Ben Saadya is a popular lecturer on themes and conflicts that face Israeli society through the cinema. To learn more please visit our photo gallery.
SHARONA DURRY, President & Co-Founder: Sharona is an Israeli Sabra, born to parents who emigrated from Yemen on Operation Carpet. She was raised in Kfar Saba, a city in the Sharon County of Israel. At age 18, Sharona started singing professionally when she joined the Israeli Defense Forces. Sharona very much enjoyed entertaining the soldiers and the civilians in the southern part of Israel where she was stationed. Following her army service, Sharona graduated from Klmania - college in Kfar Saba. Upon graduation, she joined her sister, Ora Kesselman, in Philadelphia and began working at Beth Sholom as an Israeli song leader/Hebrew teacher. In Princeton, Sharona was trained as a "Music Together" teacher. "Music Together" is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners and the adults who love them. Her "Sharona Ensemble" performs for all occasions. She also leads Shira Betz'ibur, an Israeli sing-along, which focuses on learning about Israel through Israeli songs. Sharona has accompanied performers such as Arik Sinai, Danni Sanderson and Sarit Hadad.Sharona sings the Israeli and American National Anthems in various events. She opened the ceremony honoring Jonathan Netanyahu Z"L, with guest speakers Benjamin Netanyahu Former Israeli Prime Minister and R. James Woolsey Former CIA which took place at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.Sharona is also a member of the leadership council of AIPAC and a member of the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders board.
A proud mother of a 11year old son Yarden whose basketball name is Jordan.
| 
