By Cailin Acosta
SAN DIEGO – The ruach (spirit) and love for the Land of Israel was felt by all in attendance at the Yom Ha’Atzmaut program at Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
Rabbi Hanan Leberman and shinshin Neta Laytter encouraged all the children and the young at heart to join in songs and dancing after everyone enjoyed beef hotdogs or veggie dogs that were prepared by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club.
After singing and dancing, the children went out on the patio and Laytter and Leberman pulled out cans of shaving cream and had a fun time chasing the kids in a game of tag. The parents got involved and it was a sight to see everyone smiling and having a good “clean” time together.
When the cans of shaving cream ran out of spray, it was time for a game of Kahoots. The game was projected on the screen and all who wanted to play had to use their cellphones and open the QR code, which entered a player into the game.
The questions included Israel Trivia, Israel History, Miscellaneous Facts, and True or False. Whoever won first place would win a dinner with Leberman at kosher establishment Hamitbach Mediterranean Street Food in Mission Valley. Everyone tried as hard as they could and after each question it would show who was moving up the ranks and who was falling down. One thing I learned is I need to go to Israel to brush up on my Israel trivia. I did well but not enough to win first place. Laytter won first place and my tablemates said the game was rigged!
All in all, it was a casual and fun event and spending it with friends who are family was very meaningful to celebrate Israel’s 77th birthday.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
Sounds like it was a lot of fun.