Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival presents 13 programs for its 7^th Season

The Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival, a six congregation collaboration of Skidmore Office for Jewish Student Life, Chabad of Saratoga Springs, Chabad of Clifton Park, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Shaara Tfille, and Temple Sinai, supported by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, will produce thirteen shows between Memorial Day and Labor Day at multiple venues in the Saratoga region. Programming ranges from films and discussions to live entertainment for the entire family. Some programming is free while others request a very modest donation or fee.

These programs have become a part of the overall summer offerings of the Saratoga “destination” characteristic of our region.  Saratoga offers something for everyone, including big name performers and performances, racing, and other innumerable focused interests. The Jewish Cultural Festival has enhanced these offerings with a range of Jewish themed events. “Our sponsoring organizations are very motivated to offer a range of programs appealing to a broad swath of the Saratoga community and adjoining county neighbors, as well as visitors from far and wide who come to enjoy the picturesque, historical community,” says Festival Coordinator, Phyllis Wang. “We are exceedingly grateful to the Jewish Federation for providing annual grant support to allow us to continue this popular endeavor.”

Watch for articles in local papers, brochures, and posters in the community as well as on Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival Facebook and website and on WAMC radio. This season’s program include:

2018 Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival

•  June 3 – Eat. Love. Pray.  Hyatt Place, Malta at 11am / The 10th Annual Jewish Women’s Gala! Enjoy a gourmet buffet brunch, silent auction, realize your inner beauty & love with and join in song with Rus Devorah Wallen and other local artists as they sing soulful, timeless prayers/tunes. RSVP: 518-495-0779  Email: info@cliftonparkchabad.com  Couvert $20/$25
•  June 13 – Holocaust Speaker and BBQ Saratoga Chabad, 6pm BBQ, 7pm speaker / Arnie Adler, the son of Hungarian Jews, has been sharing his late parents’ powerful story of survival and redemption during the Holocaust. $10 donation requested. RSVP: Phone: 518-526-0773 / Email: saratogachabad@gmail.com
• June 17 – Story and Song: Stirring the Imagination Wilson Chapel, Skidmore College at 7pm / An extraordinary group of regional storytellers take both old and young on an entertaining and enriching adventure.  Their stories engage all of our senses and convey the past, present, and future. Dessert reception.  $5 donation requested, RSVP: 518-584-8730 opt. 2 or office@saratogasinai.org.
• June 24 – The Gefilterian Congregation Shaara Tfille at 7pm / Join co-founder and author Liz Alpern for a lively and interactive cooking demonstration.  The Gefilteria is a new kind of food venture with the mission of reimagining Eastern European Jewish cuisine. Call 518-584-2370 for reservations.  $8 donation requested.
• June 26 – Klezmer & Kosher Festival  Shmaltz Brewery at 5:30pm / Celebrating Israel’s 70th, Clifton Park Chabad invites you to step into the history and culture of Israel! Taste Israeli cuisine and enjoy live Israeli and Klezmer melodies while sipping some He’Brew Beers. $7 admission.  Additional charge for beer.
• July 8 – Golda’s Balcony Temple Sinai at 7pm / The tumultuous life of Golda Meir, Ukrainian born, Wisconsin raised, and fourth prime minister of Israel.  “What happens when idealism becomes power?” asks Golda.  “It kills.” A dramatic look at idealism, power, and the strength it takes to shape the destiny of a nation. Panel discussion and dessert reception.  $5 donation requested, RSVP: 518-584-8730 opt. 2 or office@saratogasinai.org.
• July 15 – Richard Rodgers and “The Sound of his Music” Congregation Shaara Tfille  at 2pm / This musical cabaret, performed by Rabbi/Cantor Kenneth Blatt and piano accompanist Michael Clement, celebrates the wonderful songs of perhaps the greatest Jewish Broadway composer -Richard Rodgers.  $5 donation requested, Call 518-584-2370 for reservations.
• July 31 – The Last Jewish Mobster Saratoga Chabad at 7pm / Meet master storyteller, Myron Sugerman, author of The Chronicles of the Last Jewish Gangster, from Meyer to Myron, who tells of his connected life with the mob, the shocking story of the mob’s impact on the American Nazi Party in the 1930s, and weapons supplied during Israel’s fight for independence. Wine, cheese tasting, and desserts.  $10 donation requested. RSVP: Phone: 518-526-0773 / Email: saratogachabad@gmail.com
• August 3 – Friday Night Live Congregation Beth Shalom at 7pm / Featuring the fabulous Adirondack Klezmer and Jazz Band, this highly anticipated Erev Shabbat experience is for people of ALL ages! For more info. contact Phone: 518-371-0608 / Email: CBShalom@nycap.rr.com.
• August 5 – Frisco Kid Temple Sinai at 7pm / The Frisco Kid is a laugh out loud comedic western with Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford, made at a time when there were few films depicting realistic Jewish characters. A Polish rabbi encounters different cultures and pressures on his journey across the American west. Panel discussion and dessert reception follows the film. $5 donation requested., RSVP: 518-584-8730 opt. 2 or office@saratogasinai.org.
• August 12 – Shlock Rock Filene Hall, Skidmore College at 7pm / Shlock Rock, an internationally celebrated American-Israeli rock band since 1986, performs parodies of pop-rock secular songs and original rock songs in Hebrew and English. With more than 32 albums, they continue to record and tour worldwide. RSVP: 518-584-8730 opt. 2 or office@saratogasinai.org.  Donation of $10 adults and $5 children and veterans requested.
• August 22 – Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me Congregation Shaara Tfille at 2pm / A thrilling, enlightening, and redemptive documentary that examines the lesser known aspects of the extraordinary and talented Sammy Davis, Jr.  Defying societal norms concerning interracial romance, religion, and political affiliation, Davis courted controversy, but always with grace and honesty. Discussion and refreshments.  $5 donation requested. Call 518-584-2370.
• August 26 – Annual Shalom Festival Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, 11am-6p / Join us for an afternoon of Kosher food, art, music, and activities, including face painting, shofar making, and games. Golfstrom, a well-known Klezmer group, will perform during the day. Authentic Israeli food will be prepared and cooked by Israeli chef Rivi Bahir.