Hiller's at the Celebrate Israel Festival

June 1, 2011 – Israel is 63! Many Michiganians ventured to Ann Arbor to celebrate. Hiller’s was among them.

During Ann Arbor’s 7th annual Celebrate Israel Festival last Sunday, dozens of families gathered at the Jewish Community Center to celebrate the birth of their homeland. Israel is home to people from every corner of the globe, making this year’s theme a depiction of its culturally diverse global community.

The beautifully sun-beamed day brought in a stream of people who enjoyed a myriad of activities put together by the Greater Ann Arbor Jewish communal organizations. Activities appealed to all ages and included face paintings, pita making, oud and dumbek performances, traditional line dancing and singing, and henna tattoos.

Booths were set up under a tent, where representatives from local businesses displayed their products and services to attendees. A show of Israeli merchandise, food and Kosher wine gave the passersby a taste of what Ann Arbor’s local businesses have to offer Jewish residents.

Hiller’s Market occupied a booth filled with a varied supply of Israeli foods they sell in their stores. People approached the table with great enthusiasm. According to Hiller’s representative Lynette Kidd, most of them expressed their respect for and loyalties to Hiller’s. Other attendees immediately identified the authenticity of the products and brands of Israeli food items at the table as they sampled an Osem Israeli wafer or packages of Israeli chewing gum.

“As an outsider looking in, among the very few non-Jewish people present, it truly was an uplifting experience,” said Kidd. “It was gorgeous out, and everyone was having fun. The ambiance was analogous to one of their weddings; everyone was friendly, people were laughing, singing, dancing, and children were playing. I always knew how close-knit the Jewish community was, but seeing it first-hand confirmed the beauty of their unity”