This year’s festival looks to be the best yet! Here’s the final schedule.
Come hungry to enjoy Celebration Israel’s renowned falafel, schwarma, Israeli beer, ice cream and more. In the event you’re looking for something lighter, visit our take-out booth offering cinnamon buns and quick, delicious snacks.
With our crafts and activities beyond the usual festival fare, children anticipate Celebration Israel year-round. What other festival features face painting, bounce houses and an archaeological dig? Perennial favorite Mr. Twister-Asheville will perform his wacky magic show KID POWER! and provide balloon art for all ages. Our acrobats will astound you.
Celebration Israel is known for launching the careers of local entertainers. Two years ago, Jonas and Meryl Goldstein joined their three sons (then 9, 12 and 14) onstage for the family’s first public musical performance. Since then, the Goldstein Family Band has performed for dozens of live audiences from Georgia to Pennsylvania. Providing a mix of rock classics, traditional Jewish favorites and modern Israeli music, their songs feature lyrics in five languages. This year’s festival marks the release of the band’s most recent CD. All proceeds support Congregation Beth Israel’s local efforts to provide meals and shelter for homeless residents, including fresh vegetables harvested from its new community garden.
Other musical performers include the Elihu Siegman Project, with Israeli folk tunes “adapted for the Appalachian sensibility and blended with the flavors of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Florida.” Balagan features the acoustic guitar talents of Bob Deutsch and Perry Dror. Nearly 75 children from our local Jewish Sunday school programs will take the stage as well.
The Jewish Community Center sponsors its annual Falafel 5K & Camp Ruach Fun Run the morning of the festival. The 5K begins and ends at the JCC, while the Fun Run takes place at Weaver Park. Participants enjoy a free meal or children’s activities at Celebration Israel at the conclusion of their respective athletic events.
This year’s lineup of artists for the Jerusalem Market includes masters in glass, ceramic and jewels. And did you hear about the on-site massages? We’ll announce more each week.
For up-to-the-minute info, be sure to Like us at facebook.com/celebrationisrael.