2011 S.B. Jewish Festival at Oak Park

The Jewish Festival is pleased to welcome award winning and world-renowned juggler, storyteller and comedian, Izzi Tooinsky as the 2011 Master of Ceremonies!

Musical entertainment includes: The Los Angeles-based Kol Sephardic Choir, bringing a rare musical offering of Sephardic Romanceros sung in the ancient tongue of Ladino, the Judeo-Spanish style whose songs reach back to 15th century Spain. They will also be sharing their Liturgical/Religious songs sung in Hebrew with Sephardic melodies; Cantor Mark Childs with the Congregation B’nai B’rith Temple Band and the Shir Chadash Adult Choir and Youth Choir (including a Debbie Friedman musical tribute); the Ventura Klezmer Band will perform European Klezmer music such as freylekhs and horas, as well as music from the golden age of Yiddish theater and film; The Jewish Folk/Soul collective called Mikey Pauker & The Tribe, featuring Leah Shafritz will perform their single “Sim Shalom,” which just won the New Ruach NFTY music competition; And the USCB Middle East Ensemble will be performing a set of Jewish music from Yemen, Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Moorish Spain and beyond.

A second “Mishpohcha” Stage will be co-hosted by Weezy Palanker, creator of the JCC’s popular “Comedy Club for Teens” and by 14 year old local comedian, Aaron Linker.

The Santa Barbara Jewish Festival will feature the Bubbie & Zadie Talent Show; a Birthright Israel Expo by UCSB’s Hillel students; an art, essay and poetry contest on “What’s Jewcy about being Jewish”; a “Community Blessing of Our Children” ceremony with Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer; and a pre-schooler costume parade. Meditation and movement to “Embody the Divine”, guided by Rabbi Alyson Solomon, will also be highlighted.

Everyone will have an opportunity to have their picture taken at “The Western Wall” by Santa Barbara Chabad, and of course, enjoy great Jewish and other foods, arts & crafts vendors, Israeli dancing and kids’ activities. A Book Sale and Silent Auction will round out the festivities.

A special 63rd Israel Independence Day Commemoration Ceremony, with Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider, Supervisors Salud Carbajal & Janet Wolf and Assemblyman Das Williams. A formal representation from the Israeli Consulate’s office in L.A., will be featured. The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.