Annual Israel Fair showcases Jewish culture

Balloons, Hebrew music and a costumed camel took over a sunny Levering Quad Tuesday afternoon as the Coalition of Hopkins Activists for Israel (CHAI) hosted the Israel Fair celebrating the culture of their country.

Now in its fourth year, Israel Fair is an event commemorating the food, culture, art, geography and spirit of Israel. This year’s theme was “Israel Every Day,” focusing on the everyday routine of the Jewish nation.

The fair was organized around tables with each offering a glimpse of a part of daily life in Israel. Organized in conjunction with other campus groups, there were a variety of displays offered with the Indian Graduate Student Organization presenting henna drawings and the youth movement for Israel offering information on visits.

“We’ve had more free falafel than ever,” senior Aliza Fishbein, co-president of CHAI and principal organizer of the event, said. “Now it’s all gone!”

Among the attractions featured was a two-person camel costume resembling those found in nativity scene enactments. The organizers also provided free T-shirts bearing the CHAI logo, CDs with Hebrew music and raffle tickets.

There was universal consensus that the event was well organized. Among the participants included the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), Diverse Sexuality And Gender Alliance (DSAGA), Students for Environmental Action (SEA) and Christians United For Israel (CUFI).

The event also included representatives from groups beyond the Hopkins campus. Jenn Putterman, a recruiter for Young Judaea Israel programs, was on hand, offering pamphlets about programs for young people to travel to Israel for volunteering and study.

Gareth Ransom, treasurer of CHAI and a freshman economics major, came for the religious significance of the event.

“As a Christian, I always supported Israel. Judaism had a very big role in the formation of Christianity. If you look at scripture and prophesy, you’ll find that Jews are not going to be abandoned by God,” Ransom said. “Also, as Christians we should support Judaism since that’s what our Savior said.”

The goal of the program was to give out information and answer questions from students about specific opportunities, according to Putterman.

“We’ve been building coalition of different student groups throughout the year,” she said. “These groups have offered to come in, join the festivities and show how Israel is relevant to their student interests.”