Young Israeli visitors help Norwood celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut

A group of teenagers from northern Israel were the guests of honour at a party organised by Norwood to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut – the Israeli national day of independence. More than 30 adults who use the Charity’s London services attended the party on Tuesday at Canon’s Community Hall in Stanmore.

The young people, who were visiting as part of UJIA’s Magic Moments programme, led traditional singing and dancing sessions before joining guests for a lunch of falafel and other Israeli food. The community hall in Wemborough Road was decked out in Israeli flags and other blue and white decorations to mark the occasion of Israel’s 62nd birthday.

The event was organised by Shoshana Bloom, Norwood’s recently-appointed Jewish Cultural Manager. “Norwood is committed to supporting the Jewish identity and culture of the people who use our services, and it was so wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves on Yom Ha’atzmaut,” she said. “They were thrilled to meet the teenagers from the north of Israel and to spend the morning singing, dancing, eating and celebrating Israel’s independence day.” Yom Ha’atzmaut commemorates the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben Gurion in May 1948.