75 Years of Statehood

Happy birthday, Israel!

Make a Gift in Celebration

75 Years of Statehood

Happy birthday, Israel!

Make a Gift in Celebration

Israel at 75

As we prepare to celebrate the 75th Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, let’s take a moment
to reflect on Israel’s remarkable history over the past seven and a half decades. Still a relatively young country,
Israel is now known as the startup nation, due to the innovation and contributions Israel has given to the world.

Here, you can explore what makes Israel so special – whether you want to dive into our history,
try some new Israeli recipes, take a trip overseas or learn how you can connect to Israel right here in Baltimore. And, be sure
to view some of the incredible achievements and fun facts about the Jewish state in this interactive timeline.

1949

Major immigration waves to Israel begin starting with Operation Magic Carpet where 47,000 Yemenite Jews were airlifted to the new state of Israel. View more milestones here.

1949 decade image

2003

On December 1, 2003, Palestinian and Israeli politicians release a symbolic peace agreement known as the Geneva Accords. The Accord is not a legally binding document, but a model for what one may look like in the future between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Accord was negotiated in secret for over two years before the official 50-page document was released on December 1, 2003, in Geneva, Switzerland. View more milestones here.

2003 decade image

1973

On December 14, 1973, Israel Emergency Fund launches campaign to raise needed money after the Yom Kippur War took a heavy toll on the people of Israel. View more milestones here.

1973 decade image

2003

The Associated’s Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership was established. Since the partnership began, more than 1,000 Baltimoreans have visited this seaside town each year. View more milestones here.
PHOTO from meeting in Ashkelon in 2004

2003 decade image

1960's

Israel invents the drip irrigation system, creating a revolutionary new way to sustain crops and save water. View more milestones here.

1960's decade image

2017

On October 18, 2017, The Associated hosts A Lion of Judah Signature Event. The trunk show in Baltimore featured Maskit’s iconic pieces with Sharon Tal, head designer from Maskit, Israel’s premier fashion house. View more milestones here.

2017 decade image

“During my tenure as co-chair of the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership, I traveled to Israel many times with the goal of connecting our two cities and developing long-lasting and meaningful relationships with members of the community. My involvement was transformative, inspiring and educational. I benefitted from this experience by becoming more knowledgeable about Israel and sensitive to how she is treated in the news media. I came away with life-long friends and a deeper love of the land of our people.”

Susan Flax Posner

Traveling to Israel is a transformative experience

Through travel, you can discover Israel’s innovation, deep history and rich culture. No matter what you’re doing – strolling Ben Yehuda Street, hiking Masada, dancing at one of Tel Aviv’s hippest night clubs or enjoying a magnificent sunset – you’ll come home with an experience you’ll never forget.

Browse The Associated sponsored programs below for your next Israel experience.

Travel to Israel with The Associated

Associated Missions image

Associated Missions

You haven’t seen Israel – until you’ve seen it with The Associated. You’ll get to know the people, the community and Israel on a deeper level than a typical tourist. Plus, you’ll come back with a personal relationship with Israel, and a little more excited and energized to get or stay involved with Israel-related programming.

Birthright Israel image

Birthright Israel

If you are between the ages of 18 to 26, you can explore and experience Israel for free. Whether you are a student looking to travel with your college campus or a young professional with limited vacation, take advantage of the opportunity to explore Israel along with a busload of new friends! 
Diller Baltimore Teen Fellows image

Diller Baltimore Teen Fellows

Diller Baltimore Teen Fellows is a 14-month teen leadership program of the JCC’s 4Front. High school juniors participate in three Shabbatonim (weekend retreats), monthly leadership development seminars and two mifgashim (exchanges) with their Ashkelon teen counterparts. Travel includes a three-week summer seminar in Israel and a 10-day Ashkelon teen exchange program in Baltimore, including a weekend retreat. 
Masa Israel image

Masa Israel

Masa offers more than 200 gap year, study abroad, post-college and volunteer programs all over Israel, lasting between five and 12 months. Subsidized through The Associated, young adults ages 18 to 30 will enjoy exciting, life-changing experiences in Israel. 
Onward Israel image

Onward Israel

Develop your professional future in Tel Aviv this summer, and build your resume through a high-level internship based on your skills, interests and future plans. Immerse yourself in Israeli society along with a cohort of young adults from Baltimore and enjoy group travel days and activities together throughout the summer. 
What

What’s it like to intern in Tel Aviv?

Hear a little bit about it from Alyssa Miller, a recent Onward participant.

Read Now

You don't have to travel 5,000 miles to experience Israel.

Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC) image

Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC)

MIDC is a non-profit membership organization that helps to create jobs in both economies by promoting trade, joint ventures and investment between businesses and research institutions.
Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership image

Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership

The mission of the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership is to strengthen our communities and our Jewish identities. The Associated invests significant funding in Ashkelon every year, with an emphasis on projects that will strengthen the bond between our communities and support our partner city in Israel.
Jewish Educational Services (JES) image

Jewish Educational Services (JES)

JES oversees Baltimore’s shinshinim and shaliach who come to volunteer in the community, serving as informal educators at schools, synagogues, camps, youth movements and Associated funded programs and events as well as supports other Israel initiatives.
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The Insight Israel Forum

The Associated’s Insight Israel Forum, the first initiative of its kind in the country, provides opportunities for leaders in Jewish Baltimore to enhance their knowledge, understanding and relationship with Israel. Community leaders grapple with relevant and challenging topics around Israel and how these areas factor into their Jewish identity, social activism and current events.
Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) image

Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC)

BJC is the designated representative of The Associated and its agencies at all levels of government and is responsible for securing public funding to support their needs. BJC provides a forum for organizations and individuals to respond to issues of interest and concern both at home and in Israel.
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Hillel

Travel to Israel with any one of our five local Hillels (Goucher College, Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, University of Maryland Baltimore County and University of Maryland College Park). Hillel enriches the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.
The Macks Center for Jewish Connections (MCJC) image

The Macks Center for Jewish Connections (MCJC)

Through Israel-related programming, the MCJC provides opportunities to build a deeper connection and engage with our partner city of Ashkelon in a meaningful way. 

“As founding co-chair of The Associated’s Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership in 2003, I fell in love with the people and city of Ashkelon. For each of our three children’s B’nai Mitzvahs, we took a family visit to Israel, and each had a ceremony or second Bar/Bat Mitzvah in our homeland.

By our third child’s Bar Mitzvah in 2006, we knew we wanted this momentous occasion to take place in Ashkelon. I still recall the message the Rabbi shared with Andrew – ‘By sharing this simcha with our congregation after just ending the Lebanon War and allowing all of us to share in this happy occasion, you truly have added joy and done something for Israel. May you continue to be there for Israel as you grow to be a proud Jewish man.’”

Linda Hurwitz

Global Partnerships

Together with our global partners, we ensure that every Jew in Israel and in over 70 countries worldwide, receives the assistance they need.

Israel's flag flying over Jerusalem
People making aliyah and supporters waving Israeli falgs
Female student attending university class

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

The leading Jewish humanitarian organization that rescues Jews in danger, provides aid to vulnerable Jews, leads the Jewish community’s response to crises and more.

The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)

Works to build a better society in Israel – and beyond – by energizing young Israelis and their worldwide peers to play a critical role in our ongoing Jewish story.

World ORT

A global education network driven that infuses high-level science and technology education with Jewish values for students around the world.

Top Videos About Israel

See first-hand how transformative a visit to Israel can be.

How We’re Celebrating

Check out these great events, programs and celebrations happening across our community between now and June to celebrate Israel’s 75th! There’s something for everyone. Events can be submitted here.

Explore Israel’s rich culture and vibrant art world through a contemporary artistic experience. Prominent Israeli artists, historians and influencers will discuss Israel’s history through painting, photography, sculpture, cuisine and more.

Learn more.

In partnership with Charm City Run and Friends of IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Baltimore, the JCC is hosting a 5k run in memory of fallen soldiers and victims of terror just before Israel’s Memorial Day. 

Learn more and register.

Join us for a moving ceremony to honor the memory and legacy of the many Israelis who have fallen in combat or in acts of terror. 

Learn more and register.

The opening evening of the 35th Annual William and Irene Weinberg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival features a special screening and concert event in celebration of Israel’s special birthday. View the docu-narrative film Exodus 91 followed by a short performance and remarks from celebrated Ethiopian-Israeli singer-songwriter, AvevA.

Learn more.

Bring your Israeli flags, be ready to dance the afternoon away, win prizes and join our Hummus making contest.

Register and learn more.

An expanded version of the tech showcase that MIDC has put on previously. Speakers will include a discussion of how the Maryland/Israel relationship has created jobs/economic activity here and there.

Learn more and register.

The Pearlstone Food and Craft Authentic Shuk will celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary by creating a festive historic atmosphere reminiscent of the outdoor shuks in ancient and modern Israel, and bringing together quality food, hands-on crafts, and learning opportunities.

Registration coming soon.

Featuring HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir (chapters from Baltimore, DC, South Jersey and Philadelphia), Kol Rinah, B’Harmonia from Krieger Schechter Middle School, HaZaPrep Baltimore.

Registration coming soon.

Studio Mela is bringing Israel to the United States through this multi-sensory mobile art experience for all ages. From Haifa to Eilat, participants will investigate the tastes, sounds, and smells of the land of Israel

Registration coming soon.

“I visited Ashkelon for the first time in May 2019.  Ashkelon, for several days prior to our visit, had sustained a barrage of rockets from the Gaza region.  With a cease-fire in place, we toured the town and met residents. While the destruction of the rockets was bone-chilling and disheartening; the spirit and resilience of Ashkelon were undeniable.  It was at that moment I knew my heart and energy would be focused on supporting Ashkelon.”

Josh Frederick

Recipes

If you are unable to travel to Israel but are craving an authentic and tasty Israeli meal, try your hand at these recipes from our Baltimore and Israeli community members. This (mostly) Israeli cuisine is sure to delight you and your family!

Slow-Roasted Short Rib with Fermented Schug

Slow-Roasted Short Rib with Fermented Schug

Israeli Chef Michael Solomonov prepares this yummy entree at The Associated’s Keynote: A Culinary Experience.
Yemenite Soup

Yemenite Soup

 Kesher participants and Ashkelon residents, Victor and Mayrav Chayon, share family “go-to” soup.
Eggplant Dip

Eggplant Dip

 Sigal Ariely, Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership Director, says this is an easy, traditional dish of Israeli cuisine.
Za’atar Roasted Chicken over Sumac Potatoes

Za’atar Roasted Chicken over Sumac Potatoes

Best-selling Cookbook Author Adeena Sussman, who is based in Tel Aviv, cooks this chicken dish at The Associated’s Super Sunday Give for Good Telethon.

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