Celebrate our culture at Jewish Culture Fest

PROVIDENCE – On June 2, Rhode Islanders are invited to the Jewish Culture Fest, a day-long festival of music, food, art and entertainment. The outdoor event will feature a kids’ area, artisan marketplace, crafts, food trucks, a beer garden and more.

The brainchild of the folks at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, with other community sponsors, the day is meant to showcase the best of Jewish culture.

As Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, put it recently, “At the Alliance, we believe strongly that one of the best ways to combat antisemitism is to give people a chance to engage with our community.

“By giving others the opportunity to learn more about our culture, we have an opportunity to educate and to better connect people to who we are. It is a lot harder to hate people when you have a better understanding of who they are, and that’s our goal.”

The event will bring people together to celebrate “all we love about being Jewish. The music, dance, art, comedy and, of course, the food,” Greenman said.

Highlights include a performance by Ezekiel’s Wheels, a klezmer band; Raza, a musical listening project; a show by comedian Myq Kaplan; a kids’ show by Rock-a-Baby; a group art exhibition; and a movie. Also “Gathering Sparks,” choreographed by Rachel Linsky and performed by Rachel and her dance troupe in collaboration with Ezekiel’s Wheels, will be featured.

The Jewish Culture Fest will take place outside of the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave. Entrance is free. Hours are 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Food and drinks will be for sale.

For more information and updates, go to https://tinyurl.com/bk5bs3zn.

FRAN OSTENDORF is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.