MEGA EZRA

Ezra, an outbranch of Taglit-Birthright program is dedicated in reestablishing Jewish "Birthright", pride,  as well as social and historical acquaintance with Israel. Ezra celebrated its 10th anniversary in a "Mega Event" this past Saturday at club B66.  
It was meant to re-unite and to celebrate the people who went on these trips and who were thereafter going through "Israel withdrawal" 
As I came across Rachel, a homeland addict, and we sat down for a talk she describes her trip like this "its like we become one family in there, in the states we pass each other by, but in Israel we become close and even closer after the trip is over...the trip and the country leaves us all with impressions, memories and new found friends which cannot be replaced".

Club B66 in Brooklyn

Nostalgia is a symptom of Israel withdrawal, reuniting those who share the same love for the land,  is a good antidote. Organizations such as Ezra, help bring that unity among Russian speaking youth.


As always a huge crowd gathered and DJ John Koval kept the crowd on the dance floor.
MC Manashe and MC Julia respectively interrupted the dancing for a short while and took the stage to present the highlights of the night. People were taken aback,and again inspired by the videos projected on screen. A video showed pictures of EZRA birthright groups reminding everyone that  free trips to Israel are a gift for every single Jew. 

Shelly-The Associate Director on the NY chapter of FIDF

Presentation of the program continued as guest speaker Shelly an associate director of the NY chapter of "Friends of IDF" or FIDF  was welcomed on stage. FIDF support the Israel Defense Forces who's job is to look after Israel. 
 Shelly said "What soldiers need in Israel is help..."   regardless of the hard conditions, soldiers volunteer to fight for Israel, these young soldiers don't have money or any immediate family in Israel. FIDF helps support them.

  Shelly continued "...lone soldier program helps soldiers visit their families" as well as support them with other basic necessities.
"Israel is the home to all of us, please keep supporting us and help us get donations for these soldiers."  
FIDF is committed to providing these soldiers with love, support, and care in an effort to ease the burden they carry on behalf of the Jewish community worldwide. For more information about friends of the IDF log on to: http://www.fidf.org/  

EZRA group leaders (Madrechim)

Noam Shumakh, the groups director of educational department of EZRA USA stole the stage. This will be the last Ezra USA event for Noam. 

Noam finished her three years here in the States and is soon going back home to Israel,  

"Why-Love" performing 

The party is yet to start, but one more surprise lay ahead. A special guest was invited, a performer who preformed all over NY and Israel a Hasid Jew who keeps up with Reggie music. A live performance was given by Reggie singer 'why love' He called the Mega event "...a Jewish hip-hop party"  
"we are all one nation" he said. Finally the DJ hit the music once more and the party was full force. Check out all the pictures here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.274189409258553.76566.262784157065745 to see how wild some people got at the Mega Reunion. 

By: GA

Photography by: Ilia Eli Isakov