Shoreline Festival Celebrating 250 Years of Jewish Life in the USA
Guilford, CT — The 20th annual Shoreline Jewish Festival will take place Sunday, August 2, from 12–5 PM on the Guilford Green. The festival celebrates Jewish life in the USA as America turns 250 and features various styles of Jewish music, Jewish specialties and fair favorites (all kosher), a Jewish book sale, vendors and crafters, and children's crafts and activities.
Rabbi Yossi Yaffe, director of Chabad of the Shoreline and festival organizer, notes a connection between the annual festival and America’s 250th birthday. “Celebrating Jewish life with a festival on the Green is a uniquely American experience. The Liberty Bell’s engraved words, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land,” comes from the biblical description of the Jubilee, a 50th year marked by freedom. America is celebrating 250 years, or its fifth Jubilee. What a perfect time to give thanks for this country’s freedoms of expression, assembly and religion that let all of us practice our faith openly and joyously.”
This year's musical lineup features the NY Klezmer Series All-Stars, Yehuda and Noah Solomon of Moshav and Soulfarm, and the Mr. Shabbos Band.
The New York Klezmer Series Allstars brings together five exceptional musicians for a joyous celebration of klezmer—the vibrant musical tradition of the Eastern European Jewish tradition. Featuring New York Klezmer Series Artistic Director and founder Aaron Alexander on drums, co-founder Greg Wall on clarinet, Jordan Hirsch on trumpet, Ira Temple on accordion and Brian Glassman on bass, this all-star ensemble blends soulful melodies, spirited dance tunes, and sheer joy into a performance both rooted in tradition and irresistibly fun. Whether you are a lifelong lover of klezmer or hearing it for the first time, the NY Klezmer Series Allstars promise an unforgettable musical experience filled with heart, energy, and the unmistakable sound of celebration.
Yehuda and Noah Solomon are brothers and musicians well-known in the world of modern Jewish music. Yehuda fronts Moshav and Noah fronts Soulfarm; together they helped pioneer a generation of Jewish rock. Raised in a musical family of American expats in Israel, the brothers unite those two traditions in their music. Hebrew words and Middle Eastern melodies meld with the American traditions of country, bluegrass and rock. Their music envelopes the audience in a high-energy, heartfelt celebration of life.
The Mr. Shabbos Band features Josh Alpert on guitar, banjo, mandolin, trumpet, flute and bagpipes; joining him are Pesach Alpert on drums, Menashe Wagner on trombone, guitar and percussion, Mordechai Harris on bass, Benny Shwarcz on guitar and percussion and vocalist Eric Freeman. Together they play a unique mix of Jewish and biblical lyrics with country, bluegrass, and rockabilly. For the young and the young at heart, Mr. Shabbos leads an interactive sing-along that is guaranteed to get everyone up on their feet and dancing.
Artists and artisans will sell a variety of Judaica, jewelry, clothing and artwork. Books of Jewish interest will be available for sale for both children and adults. Festival-goers can choose from a variety of (kosher) fair favorites, including pulled beef brisket, hamburgers, hot dogs, falafel (an Israeli fried-chickpea specialty), grilled chicken schwarma, potato knishes, fresh mini donuts, cotton candy, sno-cones and more. Children's activities include inflatable bouncy fun, as well as Jewish-themed arts & crafts projects.
Primary festival sponsor is Shoreline TMS & Interventional Psychiatry. Other sponsors include the family of Mr. Matthew Evans in his memory, the Jewish Federation & Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, Gladeview Rehab & Health Care in Old Saybrook and Renewal by Andersen of Southern New England.
Admission is free, but please register online. Food, crafts and vendor items are for sale. Artists can reserve a booth for the day for a fee of $85. To help sponsor this unique event, to reserve a booth, or for more information and to download the app, visit www.ShorelineJewishFestival.com. For anything else, please contact Rabbi Yaffe at (203) 533-7495 or chabad@snet.net.
About Chabad of the Shoreline
Chabad-Lubavitch of the Shoreline, based in Guilford, Connecticut, has been led by Rabbi Yossi and Rochel Baila Yaffe since 1999. It serves the Shoreline and River regions with Jewish programming that is known for its warmth, acceptance and deep love for Jewish tradition.