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GREENSBORO — When Rabbi Eliezer Havivi of Beth David Synagogue told his friends in New York years ago that he was moving to Greensboro, they warned him he was moving to the sticks, and he worried he would miss his large Jewish community.

What he found was something unexpected.

"The vibrancy and effervescence of Jewish life here is just amazing," Havivi said.

A testament to that vibrancy is the past week's events celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israeli independence, culminating Sunday with a festival at the American Hebrew Academy.

Sponsored by the school and the synagogue, as well as Temple Emanuel and the Greensboro Jewish Federation, the festival brought about 400 students and locals out to have fun and mingle. Havivi said this kind of showing is typical of the local Jewish community.

Many who attended Sunday's festival said that at the heart of that community is Israel. The United Nations split the area under the Mandate of Palestine into two separate states — one Jewish, one Arab — following World War II. Israel claimed its independence on May 14, 1948.

Local Jewish leaders estimate there are between 4,000 and 4,500 Jews living in the Greensboro area. Officials estimate 70 percent of area Jewish teens will have traveled to Israel at least once before graduating from high school.

Every junior at the academy studies for 10 weeks in Israel, and eighth-grade students attending B'nai Shalom Day School have an opportunity to go as well.

Jerry Kurti's Jewish heritage was almost lost after his family was persecuted in Hungary during World War II and later under communism. He now attends the Hebrew Academy, where his faith has been rekindled, in part because of his trip to Israel last year.

"I'm not really sure how to connect to (Israel) yet. Right now, I think it's amazing," he said.

Organizers of last week's events hope the festivities promoted Israel and encouraged the community to learn more about the nation.

Rabbi Fred Guttman of Temple Emanuel said it can be difficult at times for people to understand the importance of Israel, even members of his own congregation. Guttman was not intensely spiritual as a young man, but a trip to Israel changed his life and led him to rabbinical school.

He later lived for 19 years in Israel, where he met his wife, before moving to Greensboro.

Guttman said events such as the festival can help encourage Jews to make the trip or at least learn more about the nation.

"We're hoping that we'll be able to plant a seed and they'll go," he said.

Even as Israel celebrates its 60th year, fighting continues between the nation and Palestinians.

Glenn Drew, the academy's executive director, said the school makes a point to educate students about both sides of the issue.

"We believe in order for our children to have a full perspective, they need the whole story," Drew said. "That's a controversial view for some people."

Drew said the academy looks forward to participating more in the community as local Jewish organizations continue to welcome those interested in their faith and culture.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com