May is Jewish Heritage Month and when Yom Ha'atzmaut — Israel Independece Day — takes place. Celebrate all month long with events to laugh, party, or find community. Not all events listed are specifically associated with these celebrations, but they'll get you in the Jewish spirit. Email me at hi [at] danielleindoodles.com if I missed anything.
Aviv Group Exhibit
Moshava Art, West Village
On until May 31
“Aviv” means Spring in Hebrew. Spring marks a time for introspection and our collective emergence into a season of hope and healing. The exhibition will explore various themes of personal narratives, abstract expressions, and symbolic representations of Israeli and Jewish culture.
Learn more here.
October 7 the Play
Actor's Temple, Hell's Kitchen
On until June 16 | $18+
October 7 - The Play. The truth about that day in the words of those who lived through it. Use code OCT7PLAY18 for a discount. Author: Phelim McAleer Producer: Unreported Story Society
Get tickets here.
Friday Night Hub Yom Ha'atzmaut Shabbat Dinner
Temple Emmanuel, UES Friday, May 10 | 7:30 pm | $36
Join for services and fun with a live DJ, catering by Spice Brothers, and Israeli beer and wine.
Sign up here.
Yom Haatzmaut 2024 יום העצמאות @ THE CLUB at MR PURPLE
Mr. Purple, Lower East Side
Saturday, May 11 | 10 pm | $18
DJs TBD
One of NYCs Hottest Clubs
500+ People Expected
NYC's Best Young Professionals Crowd
Open Format, Israeli, Top 40, Hip Hop & House
Get tickets here.
Support for Israel Rally
Times Square (Broadway between 41st and 42nd)
Monday, May 13 | 5:30 - 9 pm
A Yom Ha'Zikaron memorial and Yom Ha'atzmaut outdoor concert presented by Zionist Organization of America and the World Values Network. Featuring Gad Elbaz, Professor Alan Dershowtiz, Soul Farm, and Nissim Louk.
Yom Ha’atzmaut with The Challah Prince 🙋
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, UWS
Monday, May 13 | 7 pm | $36
Celebrity challah braider Idan Chabasov — aka “The Challah Prince” — is coming to Stephen Wise Free Synagogue to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day. His royal highness will tell his story — from Israel to Berlin to Instagram fame — while we create high-carb Star-of-David challot together! All ingredients will be provided to create a challah that you’ll be able to take home and finish in your oven.
Tickets are available exclusively for SWFS members until April 30. All of The Challah Prince’s appearances sell out — so get your tickets now!
Get tickets here.
MJE Yom Haatzmaut Israel Independence Program
MJE, UWS
Monday, May 13 | 7 pm | $10+
Join MJE for Yom Haatmaut as we commemorate fallen IDF soldiers for Yom Hazikaron with an inspirational program and musical prayers. Then celebrate Israel’s independence (Yom Haatzmaut) with MJE’s Shuk Party! Falafel and hummus bar, Israeli snacks and candies, photobooth, Israeli wine bar, Israel beer, and more!!
The MJE community will commemorate fallen soldiers of the IDF, Israeli Defense Forces and celebrate 76 years of the miraculous and beautiful existence of the State of Israel!
7:00- Rabbi Wildes Speaks
7:15 – IDF Soldier Speaks
7:30 – Tekes Maavar, a ceremony switching from Yom Hazikaron to Yom Haatzmaut, followed by soulful and musical Hallel praise prayers & Evening services
Followed by Israeli Shuk Party! Celebrate with live music, falafel & hummus bar, Israeli snacks and candy, blue and white cookies & Israeli cocktails and so much more!
$10 online, $20 day of
Get tickets here.
76th Yom Haatzmaut יום העצמאות Party
Somewhere Nowhere, Chelsea
Monday, May 13 | 9 pm | $18
Sounds by Shanti & Gorj
One of NYCs Hottest Rooftop Clubs
400+ People Expected
NYC's Best Young Professionals Crowd
Open Format, Israeli, Top 40 & House
Sign up here.
Kii: We Will Dance Again – Israeli PARTY! Yom Haatzmaut
Kii, Lower East Side
Monday, May 14 | 7:30 pm | $20+
Join us for a festive Israeli-inspired party. Especially this year- so important to celebrate. There will be shwarma, a dj, beer, and more. Open to young professionals ages 22 to 32.
Get tickets here.
The Soul Sings: A Musical Celebration of Israeli Culture
Central Synagogue, Midtown East
Monday, May 14 | 8 pm | Free
Embark on a musical journey spanning Israel's 76 years with Shira Kobren and her band as they perform songs that encapsulate the triumphs and challenges of each decade. Cantor Jenna Pearsall and other special guests will add their voices to our celebration of Israel's music and culture. While this concert is geared towards adults, children and families are welcome to attend.
Sign up here.
Edge IAC Yom Ha'atzmaut party at Nebula
Nebula, Times Square
Tuesday, May 15 | 8:30 pm | $18+
Join IAC for an unforgettable night at Nebula Club, Times Square NYC for Israel’s 76th Birthday Bash! Get ready for an epic night of music and celebration in one of NYC’s top clubs. Let’s honor Israel’s 76 years with amazing beats and vibrant energy!
Get tickets here.
Israelpalooza at the JCC: 20s + 30s | Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut
JCC, UWS
Wednesday, May 15 | 7-10 pm | $36
We will begin with an opening ceremony featuring our CEO, Rabbi Joanna Samuels, the 20s + 30s Center Director, Rabbi Yael Rapport, and musician and guitarist Romi Hanoch, beginning promptly at 7 pm.
After the ceremony, celebrate Israel’s independence with music and dance with DJ Fridman, an Israeli wine tasting and open bar courtesy of Columbus Avenue Wines & Spirits, craft Israeli beer from Schnitt Brewing Company, Israeli appetizers + snacks (falafel and Bissli, anyone?), a festive photo booth, and more!
Get tickets here.
Yom Haatzmaut Party at Harbor Club
Harbor NYC, Hell's Kitchen
Thursday, May 16 | 10 pm | $23+
Sounds By Eran Hersh, Matt Dubb & Levyticus
Doors Open at 10:00 pm
Early Bird Tickets Available for a very limited time
*Table Specials Are Available for Purchase
– One of NYCs Hottest Rooftop Clubs
– 800+ People Expected
– NYC’s Best Young Professionals Crowd
– Open Format, Israeli, Top 40 & House
Get tickets here.
Lior Narkis @ HK Hall
HK Hall, Hell's Kitchen
Saturday, May 18 | 10 pm | $90+
Performance by Lior Narkis and guest DJs
One of NYCs Biggest Clubs
1000+ People Expected
NYC’s Best Crowd
Open Format, Israeli, Top 40, Hip Hop & House
Get tickets here.
The Largest Yom Haatzmaut Party Outside of Israel
Mr. Purple, Lower East Side
Saturday, May 18 | 10 pm | $21+
- DJs TBD
- One of NYCs Hottest Clubs
- 500+ People Expected
- NYC's Best Young Professionals Crowd
- Open Format, Israeli, Top 40, Hip Hop & House
Sign up here.
Greek Jewish Festival
Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum, LES
Saturday, May 19 | 12-6 pm
Join the Greek Jewish Festival as we celebrate the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of the Jews of Greece. Experience a feast for the senses including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries, traditional dance performances with live Greek and Sephardic music, an outdoor marketplace full of vendors, arts and educational activities for kids, and much more!
Learn more here.
That's So Jewish Comedy Game Show
Asylum, Midtown
Saturday, May 19 | 7 pm | $30+
Feel like you’ve got what it takes to be labeled “Bubby Approved”?
Out of all 16 million Chosen People in the world, do you consider yourself MOST chosen??
Suffer from IBS?
THEN COME STEP INTO THE YIDDISHE THUNDERDOME AND TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON THAT’S SO JEWISH LIVE!!! A LIVE GAME SHOW BASED ON THE WILDLY POPULAR TIKTOK SERIES “JEWISH OR ANTISEMITIC!!!”
Watch as contestants fight it out through 5 uber-jewy rounds of trivia and challenges all with the goal of being crowned MOST CHOSEN!
This show will be taped!
Get tickets here.
Jewish Gym Schmooze
Sid's Gym, Chelsea
Monday, May 20 | 7:30 pm | $18-36
Join your fellow Jews at the gym to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) at Sid’s Gym with Nice Jewish Runners and Jews in Doodles.
Take a workout class set to an Israeli playlist, then schmooze over a catered kosher Israeli dinner with icebreakers from the Mitzvah or Shandah game.
There’s also an option to just join for dinner and schmoozing!
Get tickets here.
Kugels and Komedians
LES
Tuesday, May 21 | 7 pm | $10
Kugels and Komedians is coming BACK
You’ll be entertained by the incredible comedians below:
David Hazout
Rachel Lander
Olga Namer
Rebecca Reingold
Host: Dylan Abraham
Alcohol will be for sale at the site
Sign up here.
Looking ahead: June events
Isreal Day Parade
Sunday, June 2
The theme of this year's parade is Am Echad, Lev Echad: One People, One Heart
Learn more here.
Israeli Film Festival
JCC, UWS
June 4 - 10
Welcome to the 12th annual Israel Film Center Festival, taking place in person June 4-10 at the JCC.
Learn more here.
Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival
Museum at Eldridge St., LES
Sunday, June 16 | 12-4 pm
The Museum at Eldridge Street will be celebrating its 23rd Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival in 2024. Our signature festival aims to highlight the diverse cultures that make up our Lower East Side and Chinatown community.
Learn more here.
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