Israelpalooza kicks off

A taste of Israel will spring alive at Dunn Meadow on Sunday afternoon during the third annual Israelpalooza. Students and Bloomington community members will be able to experience the spirit and culture of Israel by participating in a two-and-a-half mile walk around campus followed by an Israeli festival. While the festival's major goal is to raise money and awareness for Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, the festival is also aimed to raise awareness about the true nature of the country.\n"We want to show people that Israel is more than a conflict," said senior Sarah Lawson, Israelpalooza's chair. "Israel has an amazing culture all of its own and a lot of the time all people hear about is the fighting that goes on in Israel."\nIsraelpalooza is open to all students and community members.\n"This event will give Jewish and non-Jewish students the opportunity to learn more about Israel, celebrate the wonderful culture, and raise money for an extremely important cause," Lawson said.\nIn the past two years Israelpalooza has raised $11,000 for Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service that provides 24-hour medical service to anyone. \nThe festival will start at noon in Dunn Meadow for those wishing to register for the walk -- $15 is the fee. The walk itself will begin at 1 p.m. as students and community members will march through campus holding Israeli flags while playing Israeli music. Afterwards, the festival will begin, featuring Israeli food, dancing, singing and cultural art, starting at 2 p.m. Festival attendees will also hear a performance by local artists Mike and Joe.\n"We are extremely excited to have Mike and Joe at the festival this year," said Jessie Mallor, director of Jewish student life at Hillel. "They were very interested in playing at the festival, which will hopefully bring more people to experience Israelpalooza."\nJunior Lauren Goodman is excited for Israelpalooza. She has high hopes for this year's festival.\n"I had a great time last year, especially sampling all of the delicious Israeli treats and learning fun facts about Israel," Goodman said. "I am excited to see Mike and Joe out there this year; I think it is going to be great for the festival."\nEducation is extremely important to this year's event that is sponsored by IU's Helene G. Simon Hillel Center. There will be everything from posters with information on Israeli life to a wall set up representing the four quarters of Jerusalem.\n"This year's festival is structured around education," Lawson said. "We want people to leave Israelpalooza having had a great time and having learned something worthwhile about Israel."\nFor more information on this year's Israelpalooza visit www.indiana.edu/~hillel.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Monica Dix at mcdix@indiana.edu.