Publication date: 
3.27.2018

NEW YORK (Press Release) –This April, millions of college students across the country will engage with a coalition of pro-Israel organizations to mark the Jewish State’s 70th birthday with Tel Aviv beach party-style celebrations at more than 160 university campuses across the U.S. and Canada including San Diego State University and UC San Diego.

The “Celebrate 70” (celebrate70.info) events from April 2-26 will showcase the positive energy and pride emanating from the Jewish state and its supporters to engage and inspire students who have little or no knowledge of Israel. The events will provide a powerful counter-narrative to a campus discourse in recent years that has been driven by Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) resolutions, anti-Semitic assaults and displays, and the suppression of pro-Israel student’s free speech. Celebrate 70 is expected to reach millions of people around the world between the parties’ attendees and those who share the festivities on social media. A series of high-profile guests attending the beach parties will be announced in the coming weeks.

“There is simply nothing like a beach party in Tel Aviv. We are thrilled to bring this excitement to students on more than 160 campuses,” said Andrew Borans, Executive Director of Alpha Epilson Pi (AEPi), which is part of the coalition organizing the celebration. “For years, BDS has worked to slander Israel and attack its supporters on campus. On this special birthday, we will counter this hate by bringing to life the fun, passion, and inspiration that emanates from Israel’s people and vibrant culture.”

Drawing inspiration from Tel Aviv’s global reputation as a top destination for beach culture, the on-campus parties will feature a range of different experiences, including interactive surfboards, posters and t-shirts, storyscapes, Polaroid photo booths, special birthday cakes and candles, and other activities that will all highlight Israel’s remarkable people, extraordinary accomplishments, and dynamic culture.

The coalition spearheading Celebrate 70 includes AEPi, Artists for Israel, Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, Hasbara Fellowships, Hillel International, Israeli-American Council, Israel on Campus Coalition, Jewish National Fund, Masa Israel Journey, Milstein Family Foundation, StandWithUs and Students Supporting Israel.
Celebrate 70 events will take place on campuses in more than 20 U.S. states—including Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Wisconsin—as well as in Canada.

Pro-Israel students from across North America are encouraged to spread the word about Celebrate 70 through the following social media pages:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celebrateseventy/
Instagram: @celebrate70
Twitter: @celebrate_70

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