Shoreline Jewish Festival coming up

Chabad has it going on: rabbi is coordinator of major Jewish Festival that has something for everyone

GUILFORD — The 4th annual Shoreline Jewish Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. August 9 on the Green.
The festival features live Jewish music, kosher food, an art and book sale, children’s crafts and activities, and information booths from local Jewish organizations, organizers said.
"The festival celebrates Jewish life and living," said Rabbi Yossi Yaffe, director of Chabad of the Shoreline and coordinator of the event. "Each year we see hundreds of people of all ages enjoying the music, the food, and the whole atmosphere. The festival is becoming a Shoreline summer tradition."
Headlining the show is the Kabbalah Dream Orchestra from Israel via Philadelphia. The Kabbalah Dream Orchestra fuses traditional Chassidic tunes and ancient Jewish melodies with progressive jazz, funk, and rock themes, organizers said.
Also performing will be the The Mr. Shabbos Show, a rocking mix of Jewish lyrics and country/bluegrass/rockabilly music.
And for klezmer diehards, the festival’s lineup includes two different bands: The Klezmenschen and The Klezmen. A freylekhe (spirited) big band based in New London, The Klezmenschen play lively traditional Yiddish and Israeli folk melodies. Rabbi Yossi Hodakov of Westville will join them on vocals. The Klezmen are a popular band out of West Hartford who bring the Old World sound to life with clarinet, trumpet, keyboard and drums.

Children will enjoy the variety of entertainment: Jewish craft activities, jumping fun, fair food favorites, and two unique performers. For the young-and the young at heart, the Mr. Shabbos Show will lead an interactive sing-along that is sure to have everyone up on their feet and dancing.
Storyteller Levi Welton from San Francisco will perform a one-man show called "Meet King David." The act employs history and humor to introduce kids to the multifaceted King David-political leader, musician, warrior, poet, and spiritual guide. Welton will also do Jewish storytelling under a tree between shows.
The festival is much more than music. A vendor area will feature local and Israeli artists and artisans, selling a variety of Judaica, jewelry, art work and unique Israeli products. Books, videos and games of Jewish interest for children and adults will be available for sale. Festival-goers will be able to choose from a variety of kosher food, including Israeli and traditional fair favorites.
Artists can reserve a booth for the day for $85. Festival sponsors include Boris Mizhen and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. For more information, visit www.jewishoreline.org. To help sponsor this unique event, or to reserve a booth, please contact Janice Dipollina at (203) 453-5580 jdchabad@snet.net, or Yaffe at chabad @snet.net.
Chabad of the Shoreline is dedicated to helping Jews connect to their heritage through study, innovative programs, and communal events. Chabad also reaches out to those in need of spiritual or material assistance.