haven for Jews. This new homeland was Israel, a small nation founded in

1948 on the eastern shore of the Mediterrean Sea.

In celebration of this historic occasion, several events are scheduled

during the spring semester that lead up to the actual anniversary which

is May 14. The last event is scheduled on May 21.

The Knoxville Israel Jubilee celebration is headed by Gilya G. Schmidt,

an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Tennessee.

Schmidt envisions the Israeli celebration as a time of rejoicing. “The

fact that the state of Israel survived 50 years, and has risen from a third

world nation to one of the top technological nations today, is much cause

for joy for Jews,” Schmidt said.

Historically, Jews have been persecuted because they had no homeland

to call their own. “The creation of the state was reason for Jews to

feel they belonged to the family of nations. No longer could Jews be categorically

persecuted because they had no homeland,” Schmidt said.

Furthermore, Schmidt contends this jubilee celebration will not exclude

anyone that is not of Jewish heritage. Anyone can attend.

Over the years since becoming a independent nation, Israelis have built

several schools, towns and factories. Land that was once unused is now fertile.

“Jews from all over the world have congregated there (Israel) to live

in the only Jewish state in the the world,” Schmidt said.

Presently, Israel is the most progressive country in the Middle East.

Moreover, there are several ethnic groups that influence Israeli culture.

“Israel’s culture is influenced by the cultures of European, African,

Asian, South American, North American and Indian Jews,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt further feels that Israel’s independence and prosperity is not

without its problems. “Socially, Israel also experiences problems because

of cultural diversity much like in the U.S., where some perceive themselves

superior to others,” Schmidt said.

These problems are not without solutions. Schmidt believes that these

differences can be overcome by cultural interaction. “These differences

are often successfully bridged through cultural interaction. This might

perhaps serve as a model for our own situation,” Schmidt said.

There will be an exhibition titled”Aliya” which means, “going

up” to Jerusalem as going up to the temple in olden times.

The exhibition will be unveiled Feb. 4., at the Knox City and County

Building. The exhibition,which was provided by the Israelis Consulate, is

photographed by Israeli photographer Aliza Averbach.

Averbach became world known for her photographs of Ethiopian Jews when

they were airlifted to Israel. The exhibition includes 27 photographs under

the slogan, “For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from

all the countries and bring you into your own land,” a verse from Ezekiel.

For further details contact Schmidt at 974-6985 or e-mail her at:

HREF=\”mailto:[email protected]\”>[email protected].

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