The annual Jewish Food and Culture Festival returns Sunday to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
The festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and promises food, entertainment, education and Judaica-style shopping.
"This is an event that the Jewish community really looks forward to, to share its food and cultural traditions with everyone," said Marianne Tettlebaum, director of the Jewish Federation of Arkansas. "I think it's a celebration, which is a great thing, and of course [there's] the food."
Jewish staples such as kugel, blintzes, knishes, bagels, corned beef and matzo ball soup will be available. A large variety of baked goods also will be offered, and Tettlebaum emphasized there will be foods at the festival that are difficult to find the rest of the year.
Tettlebaum said the festival usually draws about 10,000 people, and this year the stadium is prepared to host 15,000.
Admission and parking are free, while food, baked goods and drinks can be bought with tickets sold at the stadium.
Booths will be devoted to learning about Judaism and aspects of Jewish culture, and festivalgoers will again be able to "Ask the Rabbi" about everything from the Hebrew language to Jewish history, holidays and customs.
Israeli author Dorit Rabinyan will speak at 10:45 a.m. in a talk titled "Food's Joys and Labors," made possible by event co-sponsors the Arkansas Literary Festival and the Consulate General of Israel in Houston.
Musicians will perform, including the Meshugga Klezmer Band and the Temple B'nai Israel Stars of David Band. New to this year's lineup will be Acapella Rising.
Mahjong is not new to the festival, but its statewide ambassador, Ellen Lowitz, will be teaching and playing the game in the stadium.
A number of booths will sell arts and crafts including jewelry, wind chimes, paintings, pottery and tapestries. Kippas, or skull caps, kiddush cups and candleholders will be among Judaica items for sale. Tettlebaum said there will be many new vendors at this year's festival.
Also new this year will be a train for children to ride, in addition to the inflatable toys and other amusements.
Tettlebaum had high praise for her volunteers, who will be at the ready Sunday to dish out Jewish staples.
"This is really an all-volunteer effort on the part of the Jewish community, because people are so excited to share their traditions with the broader community," Tettlebaum said. "I think that excitement comes out, and it's something that I'm just amazed to see in our volunteers."
Proceeds will go to further the work of the Jewish Federation of Arkansas. All proceeds from unused tickets, which attendees can deposit in tzedakah ("justice" or "righteousness," often translated as "charity") boxes distributed throughout the festival, will benefit the Arkansas Foodbank, Harmony Health Clinic, Just Communities of Arkansas, LifeQuest of Arkansas and Our House.
"[Coming to] the festival is free, so there's no cost for people to just come out and look around if they've never been and see what's going on," Tettlebaum said. "This is a great time for children and families."
Religion on 04/29/2017