As the Jewish community of Princeton Mercer Bucks comes together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, the endeavor is not just about building excitement, said Andrew Frank — it's about building community.

"It's a community-building effort — it absolutely is," said Frank, executive director of the United Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks.

"Federation is all too often seen only as a fund-raiser, but that's only part of what federation is about," he said. "We build funds because we're building community. That's a big part of what federation does, and it's the entire thrust of Israel@60."

The communitywide celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Israel's declaration of independence on May 14, 1948, will feature concerts, forums, film screenings, expos, and outings, according to Rysia de Ravel, federation's vice president for Israel and overseas, who is heading up the 30-member Israel@60 committee.

"This is a birthday party for Israel — for the country," said de Ravel, who had joined Frank at the federation offices for an interview. "It's a marvelous country and it's got incredible achievements. So we're trying to feature programs that will be joyous, that will be fun, and that will emphasize things everybody can agree on and everybody can enjoy.

"We want people to be aware that Israel is an amazing country, so we're using the opportunity of Israel at 60 not only to have a celebration," she said, "but also to raise awareness about Israel and all its wonderful achievements."

Representatives of the region's synagogues, agencies, and membership organizations — as well as the Board of Rabbis of Princeton Mercer Bucks, the Jewish Community Center of the Delaware Valley, and Princeton University's Center for Jewish Life — are participating in the planning. De Ravel's committee is working to coordinate all of the community's activities under the banner of its new Israel@60 logo.

"We're encouraging everyone to notify us if they have something on their calendar," she said. "If a synagogue has already got an Israel film festival going…just let us know about it, and we will put it under the banner of Israel@60."

Over the past month, Israel@60 events have included an Israel forum at Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown; a concert featuring Debbie Friedman sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of the Delaware Valley; a screening of In Our Own Hands, a film about the Jewish Brigade in World War II, sponsored by The Jewish Center in Princeton and the American Jewish Committee's Central New Jersey Chapter; and a program on civil rights in Israel at Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrenceville.

"It's a wide range of events," Frank said. "[Israeli singer-songwriter] David Broza is coming in May. The Israeli Chamber Orchestra is coming to the McCarter Theatre in February. In July, we're going to have an Israel night at the Trenton Thunder. We're going to take out a whole section of the Trenton Thunder stadium — just a simple celebration to bring Jews together to meet one another and celebrate."

The federation is also working with Andrea Yonah, executive director of the New Jersey-Israel Commission, to put together a program highlighting Israel's technological achievements, de Ravel said.

"The real message is: Technology is alive and well in Israel," she said. "We're going to do a broad-brush program that gives people a flavor of how exciting an environment it is in Israel for innovation. We're also talking about approaching area restaurants to do a special gourmet evening highlighting the food and wines of Israel. Also, we are working with one of the major New York auction houses to put on a program discussing art and design in Israel."

A highlight of the region's Israel@60 initiative will be a communitywide birthday party for Israel in the spring, Frank said. "What we have in mind is a family-based event," he said. "We envision music, food vendors, a balloon bounce for the kids — and if we do it right, with fireworks. I'd like it to be a picnic atmosphere."

The year of celebration will culminate in a federation-sponsored family mission to Israel, Frank added. Jon and Beth Frieder of Princeton will lead the mission, which is scheduled to run from Dec. 25, 2008, to Jan. 2, 2009.

As the community comes together to celebrate Israel at 60, the benefits of the initiative will linger well beyond Israel's 60th anniversary, de Ravel said.

"I think what is wonderful about this yearlong initiative is that we're trying to build new habits of collaboration and coordination between all our constituent agencies, synagogues, and other stake holders," she said. "This is noncompetitive. Everybody wins and everybody looks good when we work together."

Added Frank: "Hopefully, this will generate a continuing spirit of cooperation."

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