WEST HARTFORD, CONN. (May 16, 2018) – Greater Hartford’s Jewish community will come together for a free celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday on Sunday, June 3 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. All are welcome to attend.

The festival will include a wide variety of artistic, cultural, educational and recreational activities. The Klezshpiel klezmer band, choirs from local synagogues, and emerging Israeli R&B star Noam Wolf will perform along with Israeli folk dancers Or Chadash and dance troupes from the Mandell JCC and Solomon Schechter Day School. Adults will enjoy Israeli films and engaging speakers, while children enjoy Israel-inspired arts and crafts, games, face painting, bounce houses and a parade. A shuk (market) will sell Israeli snacks and crafts, and food and beverages will be available for purchase from Yosi Kosher Catering, The Crown Market and The Emanuel Synagogue Brotherhood. Representatives from many local Jewish nonprofits, schools and synagogues will also be onsite to share information and answer questions.

Parking will be available at the Mandell JCC. Overflow parking with a shuttle bus service will be available in Lot A at the University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

Presented by Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Mandell Jewish Community Center, the June 3 celebration is part of a yearlong commemoration of Israel's 70th anniversary made possible by generous support from the Jewish Community Foundation and Federation.  Local businesses, individuals and families have also provided financial support, including Jerusalem level sponsor Data-Mail and Tel Aviv level sponsors Nefco and Solinsky Eyecare. 

For a complete list of sponsors and a full calendar of Israel@70 events, visit www.jewishhartford.org/israelat70, or follow @IsraelAt70Hartford on Facebook or Instagram.

Caption: Join Greater Hartford’s Jewish community to celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday at a free community festival on June 3 at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Credit: JFNA/Jeffrey Lamont Brown.