On Saturday, November 14, Kol Ami Synagogue will fill its campus with klezmer music, Israeli dancing, fresh knishes and, organizers hope, a good share of Tucson’s Jewish community.
Featuring a robust schedule of activities for all ages, the Festival of Jewish Joy is sure to be a lively atmosphere filled with traditions, music, food and shopping. But the goal was always bigger than a fun night out: to bring Jewish learning out of the classroom.
“Seeking wisdom isn’t only about reading,” says Rina Liebeskind, Kol Ami’s Director of Education, who spearheaded the event. “It’s about listening to the many voices that bring their own perspectives to a shared text, a shared conversation, a shared community.”
The Festival was designed to create an evening where learning can happen in many ways — through food, music, movement, conversation, and shared experiences. Liebeskind points to family, food, education, laughter, and music as threads running through Jewish history, and the Festival brings them together in one event, with opportunities for learning woven throughout the evening.
Festival-goers can build their own evening: joining a workshop, listening to music, sharing a meal, browsing the Artisan Market, or simply spending time with the community.
Bringing that vision to life has been a community effort. Festival co-chairs Sheila Peress and Beverly Sandock have worked with a committee of volunteers to shape the event, bringing together presenters, performers, artisans, and activities that reflect the many ways Jewish life can be experienced. The Festival is also made possible through the generous support of sponsors.
The evening opens at 5 p.m. with a welcome and moves through three rounds of sessions, including a whiskey tasting, family yoga, Jews and jazz, a study of the Torah’s environmental ethics with Rabbi Mike Comins, Israeli dancing, a chant circle, and a knish demo with Kneller’s Delicatessen. At 6 p.m., everyone comes together for Havdalah, the short ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat.
Klezmerkaba, Kol Ami’s Shul of Rock teen band, and the Kol Ami Adult Choir will perform through the second half of the evening. Food vendors, the Artisan Market and Judaica Shop will remain open throughout the Festival. A raffle drawing will close out the night at 8:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will support Kol Ami’s learning programs for all ages.
The Festival of Jewish Joy is Saturday, Nov. 14, from 5 to 8:45 p.m. at Kol Ami Synagogue, 225 N. Country Club Road. Admission is free, but advance registration is required by Thursday, November 12. Dinner plates are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
View the full schedule and register at katucson.org/festival-of-jewish-joy.
