By: Jill Katchen
Director of Donor Engagement
At 6:00 Sunday morning, my alarm went off. I put on my pink Lev Echad T-shirt, meaning “One Heart, standing in solidarity with Israel,” and headed to Great Lawn Park to help my co-workers set up for the annual Celebrate Israel Festival.
We were expecting more than 1,500 people, and were surrounded by metal fencing, magnetometers, security guards and police officers — a painful sign of the times for Jews in America and for those who openly stand with Israel, its people, and its promise. In the days leading up to the event, I heard many people express anxiety about attending, whether as staff, community partners, or festival-goers, as antisemitism has become an unsettling part of daily Jewish life.
And then the festival began.
Fifty-four community partners, Shinshinim, Israelis, Americans, families, rabbis, teens, couples, community leaders, and musicians came together for a day filled with solidarity, joy, hope, peace, and strength.
In this week’s Torah portion, Behar–Bechukotai, we are reminded of our responsibility to care for one another and of the blessings that come when a community walks together in shared values and a shared faith. Behar teaches us to care for both the land and each other, while Bechukotai reminds us that blessing flows from living with responsibility, compassion, and collective purpose.
This parshah deeply resonates with what we experienced at Celebrate Israel. Our community came together in joy and solidarity, embodying the Torah’s vision of mutual support and shared destiny. Especially in difficult times, events like this remind us of the power of standing together — proudly celebrating our heritage, strengthening one another, and living as Lev Echad, with one heart.
At a time when it’s personally difficult to hold onto hope or even know where I truly belong in this world, this weekend — this event, my Jco family, and our beautiful and diverse community — filled me with hope, pride in being Jewish, and an unshakable sense of belonging.
May the lessons of this week’s Torah portion continue to inspire us to strengthen our bonds, cherish our community, stand with one another, and work toward a future filled with peace and blessing.
Shabbat Shalom.
Please email Jill Katchen at jkatchen@jewishcolorado.org with questions or comments.