A taste of Israeli life is coming to the North Bay with “Israel in Marin,” a first-time fair celebrating the Jewish state. The free event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 29 at the Osher Marin JCC.
Activities include arts and crafts for kids, a shuk, or marketplace, Hebrew stories presented by PJ Library, an Israeli art exhibit, a mock archaeological dig a la Masada and a screening of the film “Holy Land Hardball,” about playing baseball in Israel. Also, Aaron Pribble, the former Bay Area baseball player who pitched one summer in Israel, will be there to talk about his book, “Pitching in the Promised Land.”
Fair organizers have come up with a fun way to recreate the Kotel, or Western Wall, by using leftover Passover matzah boxes. Visitors can even cram little notes in the wall.
Said Joanne Greene, the JCC’s director of the Center for Jewish Peoplehood, “We have wanted to do more to celebrate Israel and show our Marin community the spirit and accomplishments of Israel. We hope to make this an annual event.”
The fair gets under way from 9:30-11:30 a.m. with musician Micha Biton from Sderot, Israel, giving a performance titled “From Sderot to Jerusalem.” The heart of the festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the movie will be screened at 1 p.m.
A camel named Hump-free also will be present; people will be able to take their pictures with him.
The event is presented by the JCC and its early childhood education center and Camp Kehillah, and the Koret Taube Center for Jewish Peoplehood. The JCC’s address is 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. For information, visit www.marinjcc.org or call (415) 444-8000.