At least 4,000 people piled into Park Tavern at Piedmont Park on Sunday, April 29, for Jewish Atlanta’s communal celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday. The sunny spring day was perfect for the celebration, which drew a crowd representing the depth and breadth of Jewish Atlanta. The size of the crowd was clear from the lines to get through the necessary security checks and the heavy demand on the kosher food vendors — LiquidXCream ran out of ice cream with about two hours to go, for example, Keith’s Corner BBQ seemed to sell out of food as fast as it was cooked, and the line for Dolce never appeared to get shorter. But the event never felt overcrowded because all the indoor and outdoor space and activities, including the AJT Chill Zone, encouraged people to spread out.
Meital and Tehila Bernstein fit the day’s blue-and-white color scheme.
Henna from the AJT Chill Zone supplements the look of the frequently seen Congregation Dor Tamid T-shirts. Some 50 members of the Johns Creek congregation attended as a group.
A young member of the crowd plants his flag in Piedmont Park.
Stanley Greenstein and Stacy and Alia Lord pose with the Israeli flag after recording a video birthday wish for Israel in the AJT Chill Zone.
Hagar Sides takes flag waving to a new level.
Jeremiah, Heather, Ariella, Zipporah and Davinah Jarmin wish Israel a happy birthday.
The party planning included entertainment to keep kids occupied during the long lines at security.
A young member of the crowd plants his flag in Piedmont Park.
Or Shaham (left) and Lior Bar, Atlanta’s first shinshinim through a Jewish Agency program, combine work and play at the community celebration.
Conexx makes sure Israeli technology gets proper attention.
There were lots of ways to enjoy the giant Israeli map at Jewish Atlanta’s Israel@70 celebration.
Kids are put through the paces of an IDF boot camp at Jewish Atlanta’s Israel@70 celebration.
Inside the festival pavilion at Jewish Atlanta’s Israel@70 celebration.
Hebrew rock fills the day at Jewish Atlanta’s Israel@70 celebration.
Virtual Israel 360 at the Israel@70 celebration.
Federation CEO Eric Robbins speaks during the Israel@70 celebration.
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