The Jewish Music & Cultural Festival

Marked Its 10^th Anniversary with a

new date and location!

The 10th Annual Jewish Music and Cultural Festival of Central NY scored a home run at its new location and new month. The Jewish Community Campus provided a perfect setting for the festival, and having it in September allowed for cooler temperatures. Much of the Jewish community and others attended the event on Sept 13th. The Kosher Kafateria in the Anne and Hy Miller Family Auditorium was packed all day. Several food items were sold out. The entertainment in the auditorium was varied and excellent. Outdoors were the vendors, organizations, Festival Tent and Childrens’ Tent. There was a special area for Seniors, and runners in that area brought food down to the tent, so that Seniors would not have to walk up the hill. A special presentation was made to William Towsley for overseeing the installation of the new electrical system for the outdoor performance. Senator John DeFrancisco greeted the attendees. Chairpersons Sidney Lipton and Mimi Weiner were surprised with hand made quilts as 10-year appreciation gifts sewed and presented by Cheryl Wolfe. The crowd clustered around the many vendors with items that were varied and of very high quality. The Jewish Organizations Tent and Synagogues were well represented and had interesting exhibits. From guessing the number of raisins in a challah to shofar construction, the displays were fun and educational. Bands performed indoors in the auditorium and outdoors on the Price Chopper Main Stage. The talent of the groups from Elaine Watts and the Fabulous Shpielkes, Jonathan Dinkin and Klezmercuse and Keyna Hora Klezmer to Francine Berg’s solo performance was evident, and provided joyous music for dancing, clapping and general enjoyment. Ora Jezer and Leah Nelson directed the Childrens’ Tent. It was packed all day with eager kids, playing games, trying out instruments at the Instrument Petting Zoo, and making Israeli flags and other crafts.

The festival is sponsored in part by the Syracuse Jewish Federation; a state grant secured by Senator John A. DeFrancisco; PennPAT; the city of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department; the Cultural Resources Council; the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse; the Neulander Family and the Pomeranz Fund. Corporate sponsors include: Price Chopper; Raymour and Flanigan; M&T Bank; Key Private Bank; Exhibits & More; and Natur-Tyme. Media sponsors are: Time Warner Cable; Syracuse New Times; Syracuse.com; Table Hopping; SUNNY 102, WAER and the Jewish Observer.