Israelpalooza offers music, culture

Students looking for a little spiritual wisdom found it Sunday in Dunn Meadow. \nAll they needed was a nickel. \nIsraelpalooza, held Sunday afternoon in Dunn Meadow, celebrated Israeli culture with music, food and a walk down Kirkwood Avenue. \nActivities included an "Ask the Rabbi" booth, which allowed individuals to pay 5 cents to speak with a rabbi and ask him for advice. There was also "a walk for Israel," where participants walked from Dunn Meadow to downtown Kirkwood Avenue. The leader of the walk held an Israeli flag, prompting many cars to honk as they drove by.\nThe event opened with a speech from Rabbi Sue Shifron, the executive director of the Hillel Center at IU. She spoke about the goal of Israelpalooza, and what she hoped the Bloomington community would learn from the event.\n"We're here to contemplate the meaning of freedom," she said. "We're standing for Israel and its right to exist."\nThe musical group Ladies First, often joined by audience members, sang the American national anthem, followed by the Israeli national anthem, "Hatvikah."\nAdvocacy groups also set up booths about Israeli culture, politics and beliefs. One table had hookahs, which promoters said are popular in Israeli and Middle Eastern culture. Another had information for students who were interested in studying abroad in Israel.\nOne presentation contained information detailing Israeli politics and the current difficulties with Iran, Palestine and the threat of nuclear war. Those attending were encouraged to sign petitions to Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., who both support Israel. The petitions were for the "Iran Freedom Support Act" and the "Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act," in hopes that the senators would support the acts, which promoters believe will make Israel a safer place.\nOroren Goldin, originally from Ra'anana, Israel, discussed conscription, or required enrollment in the Israeli army -- the Israel Defense Force.\n"At the age of 18, people in Israel do not go to universities like they do in America," Goldin said.\nHe said because Israel is a small country and it has many enemies in the Middle East, it needs to defend itself. Despite the terrorism, he said, Israel isn't as dangerous as American media sometimes claim.\n"People leave their doors unlocked and are not afraid to walk around." Goldin said. "Israel is not as bad as CNN says it is."\nInna Kolesnikova of Stand With Us, an organization that advocates a safe future for Israel, also said Israel is generally safe despite the threat of terrorist activities. Not many Israelis are afraid of the threats, she said.\n"They just go ahead with their everyday lives," she said.\nAnother booth, unattended, included articles claiming Israel had eclipsed America in terms of treating homosexuals as equal citizens. The booth included information about openly gay government officials, as well as laws banning discrimination and recognizing domestic partnerships of homosexuals. \nChildren were invited to sign cards that would be sent to sick children in Israel at another booth. Other booths were set up by groups supporting children's hospitals in Israel, saying that many children are victims of terrorism in Israel and there is limited help offered to them.\nThe event seemed to stop some from their routine, pulling them from the sidewalks to listen to music, eat free food and possibly learn about the country's culture.\nRachel Kaplan, an organizer of the event, said Israelpalooza was a success.\n"The turnout was good," she said. "I feel that people now have positive connotations about Israel"