Temple Beth El – Jewish Cultural Festival

Admission is free for this family-friendly event that includes six hours of food, music and fun. Nosh and kibbitz, shop the shuk, and swing and sway to non-stop live musical entertainment charting the Jewish musical journey across the globe. Parking will be available on the Temple Beth El campus with overflow parking at the Cabrillo College parking lot across the street.

Enjoy “real-deal” deli in Aptos’ own Lower East Side; come into Nana’s kitchen for matzah ball soup shots; explore Old City Jerusalem for Israeli classics like falafel and hummus; and discover sweet home-baked delights from Jewish communities around the world at Bubbe’s Bakery. Complement your meal at the “BAR” Mitzvah serving up wine and beer.

At the Kinder Korner, children can enjoy supervised fun in the playground, an all-day play dough table, and guided craft-making. During the day, some of our stage musicians will offer special children’s music circles in the library.

On the outdoor stage—with emcee Carol Skolnick—the female a cappella group, Zambra, will sing Eastern European songs. You won’t be able to resist getting up on your feet to Jeff Brody’s Klezmer Gypsy All Stars or the Israeli sounds of Adama: Music of the Jewish People with Achi ben Shalom. Temple Beth El’s own Rock Shabbat Band adds a contemporary beat to Jewish liturgy and well-known singer, Linda Hirschorn, will delight us with her ethereal interpretation of liturgical songs. Linda’s group, Vocolot, will join her for a few numbers. The Festival stage closes with a community sing-along celebrating popular tunes from Jewish composers of well-known American musicals. Santa Cruz’s own Ben Jammin’ will be on hand as our chorus leader.

Over 20 local and Bay Area artists will offer their original work in booths spread along the path that winds from Soquel Avenue to the Main Stage and Deli on the terrace. Docents will offer guided tours of the Sanctuary. Our “Celebrations” pop-up museum will contain collections of Jewish cookbooks, Judaica, photos of travel to Israel, and unique quilts crafted by members of the Temple Beth El community. There also will be an exquisite Chuppah—the Wedding Canopy—and a display of artful Ketubot—the Jewish wedding contract. The Ketubah has been a vehicle for Jewish artists (often women) for many centuries.

Catch fascinating and fun-filled 18-minute Chai Time Talks. (Chai means “life” and its Hebrew spelling also represents the number 18.) Laugh at how much Yiddish is now part of our everyday English; discover why some women in the Bible and Talmud were tricksters; check out what is Jewish about Fair Trade; and gain new ways to make a difference in the important area of Social Justice. A returning highlight is our own stand-up star, Rabbi Richard Litvak, surprising us with the reversals and ironies of Jewish humor.

Presenting Sponsor: The Wedeen Hammer Group at Morgan Stanley & Schoolhouse Chai.
This event is also sponsored in part by: Soy Vay, Ventana Property Services, Inc., Union Bank, The Bess Family, Karon Properties, Sunridge Farms, The Musical Slugs,