The Israel Centre held an Israel fair at Beyachad as a precursor to their annual Aliyah Expo for the first time this year. Over 500 members of the community enjoyed artistic creativity, Israeli music, food and drinks, stalls, jumping castles, camel rides, Drumming Experience and much more.

The event attracted many families who had a fun-filled day.

Marketing co-ordinator at the Israel Centre, Laine Walldorf, explains that they “decided to do things a little differently by celebrating our love and passion for the state of Israel,” and that was the inspiration for the Sunday 11 September Fair.

The Israel Fair had two main elements, an art contest and an Israeli-themed family fun day.

Mazeltov to mural painting winners, Shibolet Felsher, Tarryn Chimes and Sasha Berkowitz, who took first, second and third place respectively in the art contest.

The art contest, which attracted around 50 applications from individuals and organisations, was to paint Israel-related murals on the walls of the parking lot at Beyachad, the Joburg home of many Jewish organisations. A committee then considered the proposals submitted and selected 25 to paint their murals.

“Each and every single mural was absolutely outstanding, we are fortunate to have such a talented community,” says Laine. The judging committee – which included members of the public - had a difficult task in selecting the winners of the fabulous prizes.

The winning mural was done by Shibolet Felsher, who won a return flight to Israel. Shibolet says her mural represented the bright colours of Jerusalem homes and the importance of Israel to the Jewish nation. A Magen David tree and a Chai in the middle portray life, longevity, energy and vitality for the Jewish people. The branches and white doves are symbolic of peace. Shibolet said she was very proud and honoured to have won this contest.

Tarryn Chimes won the second prize for her mural of a yellow taxi with bumper stickers saying I love Israel, and Sasha Berkowitz won third prize for a mural of Homes in the Holy Land with a Magen David in the Centre.

“We received amazing support from El Al who sponsored the two return flights to Israel, and Jack’s Paints who assisted with the painting materials,” says Laine. Organisation such as the JNF, SAZF, IUA/UCF, Israel Centre and El Al had their murals painted professionally by talented artist Sandra Gordon.

Partnership 2Gether, representing SA Jewry’s partnership with the Beit Shemesh and Mateh Yehuda regions in Israel, sent artist Ruth Fines to take part in the Israel Fair and she painted beautiful murals on the walls as one enters Beyachad representing various bible stories titled Gate of Love, Gate of Wisdom.

The legacy of the Fair is the beautifully painted walls that inspire hundreds of people working at or visiting Beyachad each week.

Various Israeli delegates who were in Joburg to attend the Aliyah Expo that followed the Israel fair took the opportunity to attend the Fair to promote Real Estate and Olim services in Israel. Dorron Kline, deputy director of Telfed, was also on hand and held one-on-one meetings with people interested in making Aliyah.