Schools
VIDEO: Jewish County Fair Brings Out Thousands for Sukkot in the Sun
Craig 'n Co. and Shalom Institute threw another Big Tent Event for every member of the tribe and the mixed multitudes, too.
The wooded acreage of the Shalom Institute, set in the mountains between Malibu and the Valley, was alive with Jews and Gentiles, hipsters and families, educators and musicians, all there to enjoy the annual Jewish County Fair, scheduled to coincide with the autumn harvest festival of Sukkot.
“The Jewish people represent a very, very broad spectrum of people,” said event producer, musician Craig Taubman, “and we’re just really excited to create a big tent environment where we say everybody’s welcome.”
Marked by great music and good humor, the place was festooned with banners like “Let My People Go” over the bathrooms, “Let My People Nosh” over the snack bar, and “Let My People Shmooze” over the beer garden and wine bar.
Find out what's happening in Studio Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Patch, executive director Joanne Klein was seated behind a banner reading “Let My People Do a Mitzvah.” Find out in the video why Joanne was excited. And meet Dr. Erica Rothblum, head of school at our Patch’s .
Under "The Big Tent," I found a collection of non-profits working to address hunger, food sourcing and distribution. I was excited to talk to Rabbi Noah Farkas of Encino’s about the new organization Netiya, which he co-founded. He calls it “an awesome burgeoning network of Jewish educational and religious institutions that care very much about our food systems, everything from health to hunger.”
Find out what's happening in Studio Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We’re all about collaboration,” said Devorah Brous of Netiya. “We believe really strongly in working to address hunger as a collaborative team.” In the video you can hear more from Devorah and Noah and some of their partners including the SOVA food pantry and social service center from Van Nuys.
Also hear about treasure at the in Studio City and learn how kindergartners are forging a future of peace for Arabs and Israelis.
Music was the biggest draw at the Jewish County Fair. Two performance stages were rocking all afternoon. I wanted to catch my pal, the electrifying and gorgeous Cuban vocalist and jazz musician, Iliana Rose but, alas, arrived as she was bidding the audience goodbye.
I did manage to catch a number of other acts you can see in the video and I got to meet a musician I know only via YouTube, Brooklyn rocker Michelle Citrin whose I Gotta Love You, Rosh Hashanah video is one of my favorites.
The headliner of the Fair was Israeli singer-songwriter Idan Raichel, who is currently touring with India.Arie. I shot his number, but I don’t know the guy. The highlight for me was David Zasloff (husband of Iliana Rose) blowing jazz on shofar. This you will want to see!
