To honor Israel’s 70th year, the Jewish community in Hampton Roads, Va., which includes the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth, pulled a hat trick—or a human one, at least—during its annual Israel Fest, this year held on April 22.
In addition to food, music, Judaica, camel rides and baby races, attendees sunk their teeth into another activity. Holding blue and white pieces of glossy paper, they stood on a 1,300-square-foot grid on a soccer field and waited for their cue. When Will Sessoms, the mayor of Virginia Beach, said the word, all 300 participants held up their colors high to form the Israeli flag, complete with a drone over their heads taking in the scene.
It was choreographed in concert with a Florida specialist who had done similar projects at NASCAR races and college football games.
The image will be framed and hang prominently inside the Simon Family Jewish Community Center in Virginia Beach.