Hundreds of people gathered at Congregation Temple Israel on Sunday to celebrate the 70-year anniversary of Israel’s founding. Rabbi Brad Horwitz of the Jewish Community Center said police estimated a crowd of 750 to 1,000 people walked the one and a half miles down Ladue Road to Congregation Shaare Emeth. Police had blocked off the road so that the crowds could walk safely. They were undeterred by a forecast of rain — and ultimately it largely stayed dry. 

In the parking lot at Shaare Emeth, there was Israeli food, music, dancing, a petting zoo and face painting, as well as brief speeches from Jewish Federation of St. Louis President and CEO Andrew Rehfeld, Shaare Emeth Rabbi Jim Bennett and State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur.