There was a classical feel to Bournemouth’s cross-communal Yom Atzmaut party with 430 guests filling the newly-refurbished Opera House in Boscombe for the first kosher event at the venue.
And it was a nostalgic night for the town’s mayor, Councillor Anne Filer, who recalled that she had chaired Bournemouth Jewish Representative Council at the time of Israel’s 50th anniversary.
Guests sat down to a meal catered by a large band of helpers organised by Katrina Webb.
Singer Mor Karbasi and her band were chosen to reflect the modern face of Israel and there was also a performance by the Bournemouth ladies’ Israeli dance group.
Overall organiser Lawrence Williams expressed gratitude “to the large numbers of volunteers who joined together, especially over the last few days, to ensure the success of the event”.