Kent State’s Jewish students of Hillel shared a taste of Israel by celebrating Israeli Fest 2010 with free falafel, Henna, crafts, and music Tuesday in front of the MAC.

“Yesterday was the saddest day to remember falling Israeli soldiers and victims of terrorism,” said Hadar Lutman, sophomore psychology major. ”Today (Tuesday) is a happy day to celebrate independence and the establishment of Israel as a nation.”

Lutman is also an Israeli intern at Kent State from Hadera, Israel and has also been involved in the Israeli Defense Force.

The happy festivities consisted of students paying to dunk girls and to play basketball, which was sponsored by Kent State’s Jewish men’s fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi.

All proceeds were donated to Relay for Life. Some students were also making bracelets from wooden blocks of Hebrew letters, wooden scrolls, dreidels, and hearts, wine glass and fish shapes.

Zac Moskowitz, junior general studies major, played Israeli hip-hop and techno music from Subliminal, Infected Mushroom, Hadag Nachas and others.

“I love Israel,” said Araon Banks, freshman general studies major. “ I think I’m going to visit and listen to more Hebrew music even though I don’t understand it.”