Groups hold Israel fair

Panthers for Israel want Pitt students to give peace a shot.

Literally.

At Sunday’s iFest,… Panthers for Israel want Pitt students to give peace a shot.

Literally.

At Sunday’s iFest, Panthers for Israel sold shot glasses that read, “Take a shot for peace” to raise money for Israeli charities.

“The goal of iFest is to show the Pitt campus another side of Israel,” Panthers for Israel President Rebecca Van Wagner said. “It’s more than suicide bombings-it has a great culture.”

The event included a sampling of food and music. There was a live band, henna tattoos, jewelry making, balloon animals, belly dancing lessons and bath products made of salts from the Dead Sea.

There was also a Bedouin tent to show the diversity of Israel.

Bedouin is a generic term for a nomadic desert-dweller who can be found not only in Israel, but throughout the Middle East.

“Israel is a mix of cultures,” said Yael Sasson, Israeli fellow of the Hillel Jewish University Center.

LeVon Mercer, a 6-foot-8 former basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv, spoke at the event.

Mercer described himself as an “Israeli African-American” because he holds citizenship in both Israel and the United States.

He had a 14-year basketball career in Israel, and, after marrying an Israeli woman, spent two years in Israel’s military as part of the compulsory military service.

He discussed his time in Israel as both a basketball player and a member of the military. After he finished speaking, he answered questions on topics ranging from his basketball career to his military service to culture shock (acquiring a taste for hummus).

The event was funded by Panthers for Israel, the Hillel JUC, iConnect and MASA. It was co-sponsored by Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Chabad House on Campus and Jewish Heritage Programs.