Festival to celebrate Israel @ 75 set for May 21

Celebrate Israel @ 75 by enjoying activities for all ages, including live music and other entertainment, local craft and art vendors, family activities and food for all tastebuds and preferences! The celebration will take place on Sunday, May 21, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Farm Fresh RI building in Providence.

Israeli street foods, plant-based fare, American fast food, treats and packaged foods will be available from vendors, including Moshe Kosher Eats, PVDonuts, Oak Bakeshop, Mosaic Table and Plant City. There will also be samples of the world’s best single malt whiskey – Israel’s Milk and Honey Distillery took the grand prize at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards, in London on March 31.

Two well-known bands, New York’s TLV Band and Boston’s Kafkafim, will perform. Both are cover bands for all types of Israeli music. Fischel Bressler’s Tsibeles will play klezmer and Hasidic music. Accordionists, choral groups and others will also perform. In addition, everyone is welcome to join in Israeli dancing.

The exhibit “Humans of Israel,” by renowned photographer Erez Kaganovitz, will make its Rhode Island debut at the festival.

Activities range from a local henna artist and a bouncy house to a scavenger hunt, PJ Library story times and shopping options galore! Those who eat too much at the food vendors can even burn off some calories in a cardio/core activity.

Vendors will offer a variety of goods, including jewelry, fine art, women’s designer clothing, notecards, prints, paintings, herbal tea and spices, plants, hand-made kippot, microwave bowls, T-shirts, mugs and napkins. El Al Airlines, a travel agency and Israel-centered organizations will offer information.

Some may know the Farm Fresh RI building, at 10 Sims Ave., Providence, as the winter home of a farmers market and Providence Flea. The large, airy venue also has an outdoor plaza. The parking lot is accessed from Kinsley Avenue or from Sims Avenue.

Admission to the event and parking are both free.

The latest list of participants can be found at www.jewishallianceri.org/Israel75. For more information, contact Elihay Skital, community shaliach, at eskital@jewishallianceri.org.

LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.