2nd Annual Jewish Heritage Festival Set for Sunday

The themed basket raffle will return once again at this year's Jewish Heritage Festival.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Congregation Hesed Shel Emet.

Whether you are experiencing Jewish culture for the first time or reconnecting with your cultural roots, Congregation Hesed Shel Emet’s second annual Jewish Heritage Festival will feature an array of traditional foods and fun, as well as entertainment and education for all.

The Festival is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.in Pottstown. Activities and entertainment are free.

Congregation president Amy Wolf shares, “We are so excited to present our 2nd Annual Jewish Heritage Festival. Last year, our first year, was a great success and by the end of the day, people were already asking us if there would be a Festival in 2016. Of course, we couldn’t say no!”

This year’s festival will repeat popular offerings and also add some new ones. 

"Last year we found that people were genuinely interested in learning about our customs,” says Wolf, explaining that the Rabbi's Torah Talk was very well-received, so it will be offered twice this year, at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.. 

This year, there will be two Torah study sessions.

Visitors will have an opportunity to see a Torah scroll, the ancient Jewish Written Law, consisting of the first five books of the Old Testament. Time for questions will be included. Another new Festival feature will be a 1p.m. presentation by congregation member Jack Wolf, about the 120-year history of the Jewish Community of Pottstown.

Also new this year, at 12:30 p.m., the group Music Monkey Jungle will provide an energetic, hands-on, music-based entertainment program especially for the kids. There will also be a kids’ craft table, located downstairs adjacent to one of the dining areas. “This way,” said Wolf, “kids can do some fun crafts while their parents enjoy a nosh.”

For adults, the Festival will offer more vendors this year, selling a mix of secular merchandise and Judaica. Another crowd-pleaser last year, the raffle for themed baskets is returning, giving Festival attendees an opportunity to bid on a variety of interesting items.

Favorite ethnic foods will once again tempt Festival visitors. Patrons can purchase lunch and grab dinner or desserts and breads “to go.” Choose a succulent brisket sandwich or perfectly spiced corned beef on rye or an all-beef hot dog. A vegetarian Mediterranean Platter will also be available. 

Those who prefer lighter fare can enjoy a bagel with cream cheese or throw on “the works” – lox (smoked salmon), onions, and capers. Don’t miss “the sides” – potato knishes (savory mashed potatoes and onions in a light dough), kugel (a slightly sweet “pudding” made with noodles), blintzes (thin crepes filled with slightly sweet cheese) – or enjoy them as your meal.

Home-baked goodies will be available for take-home, headlined by Mandel Brot (twice-baked

Last year's Jewish Heritage Festival attracted hundreds.

almond cookies) and Rugelach (rolled sweet pastries with filling). Other bakery items such as Challahs (braided breads that make delicious french toast or are tasty on their own), hearty rye bread, and other desserts will also be available.

For those who would like to test their cooking skills on some ethnic recipes, the congregation’s own cookbook, “Beyond Brisket and Bagels” will be on sale at a special price of $10, available on Festival day only (regular price, $20).

Ending the day on a high note is the return of the lively and entertaining Klezmer With Class, taking the stage at 3 p.m. 

Group members, most of whom are from the former Soviet Union, are under the direction of Mark Sobol, who immigrated to the United States from Odessa, Ukraine in 1989. A classically trained jazz musician, Sobol has performed at many Philadelphia area venues. 

The group describes their music, explaining, “The word Klezmer comes from two Hebrew words, clay and zimmer, meaning ‘vessel of music or song.’ The idea is that each instrument, the violin or clarinet, for example, takes on human characteristics like laughing or crying with a joyous exuberance or soulful wailing.”

Wolf summarizes the congregation’s goal for the day: “We look forward to this year’s Festival being even bigger and better than last year. It takes hard work and coordination, but we really enjoy coming together to offer this event, and to share our heritage and traditions with folks from the surrounding area.”

In keeping with Jewish dietary laws, the kosher food selections are under the supervision of the congregation’s Rabbi Ira Flax. Dairy will be served downstairs; meat and vegetarian foods will be upstairs.

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet is located at 575 N. Keim Street, Pottstown.
Call the congregation office with questions: 610-326-1717.

For more Festival information and schedule updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/jewishheritagefestival

For more information about the congregation, please visit: http://www.hesedshelemet.org or
https://www.facebook.com/hesedshelemet

For more information about Klezmer with Class, visit: http://www.jewishmusik.com

For more information about Music Monkey Jungle, visit: https://www.musicmonkeyjungle.com

1st Ever Jewish Heritage Festival Today Thru Sunday

The art of renowned artist Mordecahai Rosenstein will be featured at Sunday's Jewish Heritage Festival

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Congregation Hesed Shel Emet.

Mordechai Rosenstein

Come for the art, entertainment, and activities, but be certain to stay for the food at Congregation
Hesed Shel Emet’s first-ever Jewish Heritage Festival, Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With the unique work of world-renowned artist Mordechai Rosenstein as its centerpiece, the day promises a showcase of Jewish music, dance, theater, ethnic foods, shopping, and other activities that people of all beliefs and ages are certain to enjoy.

Rosenstein’s paintings, which derive their inspiration from the beauty of the Hebrew alphabet, have been presented to iconic people, ranging from Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. 

The public is invited to enjoy Rosenstein’s art, noted for its flowing forms and vibrant colors, at several events, beginning with a 1½ hour class, “Art for All Ages,” Thursday evening, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. The following night, also at 7:30 p.m., all are welcome at an informal 45- minute presentation, entitled “My Journey As An Artist.”

The public is also invited to an Artist’s Reception Saturday night, May 30, following Sabbath services. 

Rosenstein will share a powerful slide show and stories about his art and answer questions. Sunday, at the Festival, Rosenstein will continue with his painting, and his work will be available for enjoyment and purchase. 

All events are free of charge; however, a $10 donation is suggested for the Thursday evening class. Members of the public who wish to attend events prior to Sunday, are encouraged to call the synagogue (below) to reserve a spot and verify times.

The Festival entertainment kicks off with Israeli-style dancers in the main sanctuary at noon on Sunday. Rabbi Daniel Zucker, the congregation’s spiritual leader, will follow-up with a question and answer session and a tour of that sanctuary, including its beautiful stained glass windows. 

Israeli-style dancers will perform noon Sunday.

“The idea of a Jewish Heritage Festival makes sense to me in order to inform our neighbors about who we are, and to share the beauty of our heritage with all who would like to learn about it,” explains Zucker.

At 1:30 p.m. the spotlight will shine on the Reading Theatre Project’s production of “From Borscht Belt to Broadway.” 

Vicki Haller Graff, artistic director, describes the performance as a 45-minute “cabaret-style show with songs, scenes, and jokes taken from prominent Jewish performers,” and featuring four actors and two musicians. 

Performers from the Reading Theatre Project

The “Borscht Belt” refers to New York State’s Catskill Mountains, a vacation paradise for a mostly Jewish clientele from about 1940-1980.

Performing musicians and comics were a highlight of those summer resorts.

Music takes center stage 2:30-3:30 p.m., when Klezmer with Class performs. 

Mark Sobol, a classically trained jazz musician who immigrated to the United States from Odessa, Ukraine, directs group members, most of whom are from the former Soviet Union. 

The group, which has delighted Philadelphia area audiences, explains, “The word Klezmer comes from two Hebrew words, clay and zimmer, meaning ‘vessel of music or song.’ Each instrument … takes on human characteristics, like laughing or crying with a joyous exuberance or soulful wailing.”

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet's cookbook,
'Beyond Brisket & Bagels,' will be for sale too.

During the Festival, patrons can purchase lunch and grab dinner or desserts and breads “to go,” selecting from an array of delicious traditional Jewish foods. 

Choose a succulent brisket sandwich or perfectly spiced corned beef on rye or an all-beef hot dog.

Vegetarian meals will also be available. Those who prefer lighter fare can enjoy a bagel with cream cheese or throw on “the works” – lox (smoked salmon), onions, and capers.

Don’t miss “the sides” – potato knishes (savory mashed potatoes and onions in a light dough), kugel (a slightly sweet “pudding” made with noodles), blintzes (thin crepes filled with slightly sweet cheese) – or enjoy them as your meal. 

And don’t forget Mandel Brot (twice-baked almond cookies) or Rugelach (rolled sweet pastries with filling) for dessert.

Kosher wines from onlinekosherwine.com will also be available for tasting and beverages will be sold. Challahs (braided breads that make delicious french toast or are tasty on their own), Jewish apple cakes, kugel trays, hearty rye breads, and other items will also be available to take home.

The Festival will come to a joyous and energetic conclusion as the dancers return to the main sanctuary at 4 p.m. with music and a medley of traditional Jewish dances designed to end the day on a high note. 

Corned beef will be among the traditional Jewish foods for sale.

Beginning with the well-known folk song, “Hava Nagila,” “Let Us Rejoice,” the “dancers are certain to get everyone on their feet. It is a high energy, jump-in and join-in finale,” promises Miryam Nygaard, entertainment chairperson.

Children will enjoy additional activities including crafts, face painting, balloon animals, and a “please-touch” display. 

Also of interest, Al Wiesner will be at the Festival, selling his “Shaloman” comic books. Wiesner created his superhero, Shaloman, so that children could have a Jewish hero with super powers as a role model. Kids of all ages have been enjoying these Jewish Heritage themed comics for decades.

All entertainment is cost-free, but shoppers will have an opportunity to purchase pieces of art created by Rosenstein. 

Bring some challah bread home to make delicious French toast.

In addition, Philadelphia’s “Dahlia: Treasures from the Holy Land,” will offer giftware, women’s apparel, and Judaica items. 

The congregation’s own cookbook will be on sale at a special price of $18 or three for $50, and Festival attendees can also purchase $1 raffle tickets in drawings for themed gift baskets and items ranging from restaurant gift certificates to a small harp from Marini Harps in Lancaster to a family membership to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, among other items.

Amy Wolf, congregation president, is excited about this event. 

“The congregation is rolling out a welcome mat for people of all cultures and faiths throughout the region. We want to show folks that Hesed Shel Emet is a vibrant and exciting community," she said. "The Jewish Heritage Festival promises fun, food, education, and a celebration to remember.”

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet is at 575 N. Keim St. in Pottstown.

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet is located at 575 N. Keim St., Pottstown, PA 19464.

In keeping with Jewish dietary laws, the kosher food selections are under the supervision of Rabbi Daniel Zucker.

Dairy will be served downstairs; meat and vegetarian foods will be upstairs.

All food items will be available as cash purchases at the Festival, but for convenience, patrons may also pre-order and pre-pay foods athttp://www.hesedshelemet.org/jewish-heritage-festival.html

To reserve a spot at one of Mordechai Rosenstein’s Thursday, Friday, or Saturday presentations, please call the synagogue office: 610-326-1717

For more Festival information and schedule updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/jewishheritagefestival

For more information about the congregation, visit: http://www.hesedshelemet.org, or https://www.facebook.com/hesedshelemet

For more information about Mordechai Rosenstein visit: http://rosensteinarts.com

For more information about Klezmer with Class visit: http://www.jewishmusik.com

For more information about Reading Theater Project visit: www.ReadingTheaterProject.com