May 3-8, Kaleidoscope Israel, the St. Louis Jewish community’s year-long celebration of the ever-changing spectrum that is Israel at 60, presents KaleidoFest, a festival dedicated to the enjoyment, education and appreciation of Israeli culture, science, food, entertainment, and art. Shop at the one-of-a-kind Israeli Artists Bazaar, featuring world renown Israeli and Jewish vendors. Visit a replica of the Shrine of the Book and see a facsimile of the Dead Sea Scrolls up close. Interact with an exhibit focusing on Israel’s contributions to science and technology. Eat at the kosher Mediterranean grill. Advocate for Israel with Missouri Senator Kit Bond.
Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day with Israeli performer Pini Cohen. Participate in a myriad of other special programs and activities throughout the festival. There is something for you waiting at KaleidoFest: Celebrate Israel at 60!
Kaleidoscope Israel is generously funded by the Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. KaleidoFest has been made possible through the generosity of Michael and Carol Staenberg in conjunction with the Staenberg Family Foundation.
- Several of the events throughout the Kaleidofest week require RSVP and or payments prior to the event. Using the blue "Register Online" button at the top of the page, you can locate those programs requiring early registration using the included "Online Registration Code" listed within the programs description below. For further descriptions, once you have logged into our system, click on "General Programs" followed by clicking on "Jewish Life" programs.
the details...Saturday, May 3
Opening Preview PartyDessert and Wine Reception
7:30 p.m. - Artists Bazaar Open
8:30 p.m. – Havdalah Ceremony
$18 (free to patrons of Noa gala concert)
Please RSVP by April 25
Online Registration Code: JL08KOPPHere’s your first opportunity to see everything KaleidoFest: Celebrate Israel at 60! has to offer. You can be among the first to shop at our spectacular Artists Bazaar and meet the talented artists selling their amazing artwork, jewelry, Judaica, and more. Together we will celebrate the end of Shabbat with a one of a kind Havdalah Ceremony featuring the magnificent voice of Cantor Seth Warner. The evening’s reception party features decadent and exquisite kosher dairy desserts and wine. Please make your reservations early.
For more information contact
Randi Poscover, 314-442-3235.
Sunday, May 4
CANCELLED - MO SENATORS
*DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYONE OUR CONTROL, THE SENATORS SCHEDULE NO LONGER PERMITS THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO ATTEND. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
Missouri's Senators:
United States and Israel Relationship at 60
9:00 a.m. - Light bagel breakfast
9:30 a.m. - Senators speak
Free
RSVP Online - Code: JL08KSBPlease RSVP by April 25
As Jews living in the Unites States we are very fortunate our government is supportive of the state of Israel and chooses to get involved when it comes to resolving conflicts in the Middle East. As Missourian’s we are also fortunate that our senators Christopher “Kit” Bond and Claire McCaskill are also supportive of Israel. Please join Senator Bond and Senator McCaskill (invited) for an informative discussion about our country’s commitment to Israel and a look ahead to the future of this strategic alliance.
Special thanks to event sponsors: the Jewish Community Relations Council with the cooperation of the Jewish Community Center.
Sunday, May 4
Rechov Kaleidoscope – Festive
Family Event
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Free
Take a walk down Rechov Kaleidoscope (Kaleidoscope Street)—St. Louis’ own rendition of Tel Aviv’s Nachalat Binyamin street fair. Israeli artists will sell their wares, and your whole family will enjoy interactive crafts and activities, and a carnival of roving entertainers.
Presented by the Jewish Family Educators’ Network and Educators Council in co-sponsorship with the Central Agency for Jewish Education, and hosted by the Jewish Community Center.
For information contact
Joan Wolchansky, 314-442-3760.
Yom Ha’atzmaut – Festive Teen Celebration5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Free
Dinner available for purchase
Gather all of your friends for a festive teen celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut. This Israeli style afternoon will include a falafel eating contest, sports, activities, BBQ picnic and much more. The day will culminate with a special performance by renowned Jewish comedian Joel Chasnoff whose captivating style has entertained teenage audiences across the country.
Special thanks to event sponsors: i-Tag and the Kaleidoscope Israel Teen Committees with committee representation from BBYO, Israel House, JSU, NCSY, NFTY and USY. And thanks to the Jewish Community Relations Council for coordinating this event.
For more information, contact:
Meira Bresler, 442-3770.
Monday, May 5
Award Winning Film Presentation:
Good Morning Israel1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Free
Twenty years ago filmmaker Amir Har-Gil documented five Israeli teenagers of different backgrounds in Israeli society - Meir from Kibbutz Ma'abarot, Sa'ar from the wealthy Tel Aviv neighborhood Ramat Aviv, Meir from the southern development town of Ofakim, Moondar from the Arab town Taibeh, and Yehoshua from the ultra orthodox Chabad Village. These young boys, representing a microcosm of Israeli society, shared their thoughts regarding Israel’s future and their own. Since then Har-Gil revisits these youngsters after ten years and now, after twenty years. Through their eyes and Har-Gil’s, we come to realize what Israel was like, what it had aspired to, and what it has eventually become. Hebrew with English subtitles.
Sponsored by the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival.
Middle Eastern Grill5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Adults $14 / Children 12 and under $8
Please RSVP by April 25
Online Registration Code: JL08KMEGY (Youth)
JL08KMEGA (Adults)Join us for a “Taste of Israel” dinner and leave the cooking and dishes to us! Bring your family and friends to experience a kosher Middle Eastern style buffet featuring schwarma, falafel, Israeli salads, pita, hummus, chicken nuggets for children and much more. After dinner the festivities continue. Kids can enjoy face painting, balloon making and many other activities.
Zeda’s Beat Box: Jewish Rock Band Performance7:30 p.m.
Free
Zeda’s Beat Box is a St. Louis based interfaith rock band that sets the Kabbalat Shabbat service to the deep groove of reggae, ska, and high spirited dance music. Join us to experience this entertaining concert which will be fun for the whole family, young and old. Don’t forget to come early for dinner at the Middle Eastern Grill.
Tuesday, May 6
Women of Impact: Female Contributions to the State of IsraelNoon
$10
Please RSVP by April 25
Online Registration Code: JL08KWOIWomen have always influenced the course of Jewish history, and the female contributions to the State of Israel have been profound. Who were the women behind the labor of the chalutzim (pioneers) of the land? Who were the faces that greeted and cared for the refugees that made their homes in Israel? Who are the voices driving the development of politics, health care and the arts in Israel today? Join us for an inspirational lunch-and-learn as we explore a sampling of the women who have impacted and are currently making their imprint on Israeli society.
Special thanks to Nishmah: The St. Louis Jewish Women's Project and St. Louis Chapter Hadassah for coordinating this event.
Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day Ceremony
Remembering Six Decades7:45 pm
Free
Join us for one of the most powerful and emotional ceremonies that happens each year in the St. Louis Jewish Community. Together we will remember and pay honor to all of the brave souls who helped establish the State of Israel – the soldiers and victims of terror who have died over the years to defend our homeland. This inspirational evening features a historical perspective of the wars of Israel which have occurred over the past six decades.
Wednesday, May 7
Jews and Jazz: Israel Style11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Free
Come meet local and national jazz music expert Don Wolff. For many years, Wolff was the host of the “Saturday Night Jazz Show” on KMOX. He is well versed in jazz and enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with audiences of all sizes. Wolff is renowned for his dynamic, interesting and fun presentation style.
The State of Israel: An Emotional Journey Into the Past2:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m.
Free
Take a journey back in time with music and dramatic readings by Rabbi Neal Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and other community members. Re-live the emotions of the United Nations vote for partition of Palestine on November 29, 1947 and then feel the excitement of the formal establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day Celebration
5:00 p.m.
Dinner for purchase and artist bazaar open for shopping and browsing
6:45 p.m. Theatrical Play, Dance Performance and Musical Entertainment
Adults $8 in advance or $10 at door,
Children 12 and under $6
Online Registration Code: JL08KYH (Adults)
JL08KYHY (Youth)
The streets of KaleidoFest come alive with a grand celebration featuring famous Israeli singer Pini Cohen who has been entertaining American and Israeli audiences for over twenty years. Other entertainment includes a musical theatrical play by the Israeli House called “The Blue and White Brick Road” and a special performance by the professional Israeli Dance Troupe Hora Gil. Join us for a light dinner and shopping in the Artists Bazaar before the evening’s entertainment begins.
Thursday, May 8
Yachad – Day Schools Unite
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
To celebrate Yachad 60 years, K thru 8th grade students from H. F. Epstein Hebrew Academy, Solomon Schechter Day School and the Saul Mirowitz Day School Reform Jewish Academy will participate in the very first joint educational program of its kind. The Torah Mitzion Kollel has planned many interesting things for this special day. If you want to be Yachad (together) … then you need to be here!
Yom Ha'atzmaut Event – Festive Young Adult Celebration6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Cost: $5
Here’s a unique opportunity for young adults, 20s and 30s, to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with a high-spirited Israel themed evening that includes music, food, drinks, dancing and much more. Come mix and mingle with old and new friends as we celebrate Israel in a high-spirited fashion. We’ve created a special page on Facebook that will be updated regularly. Make a point to visit www.facebook.com and search for “Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day)” to get all the details and plan to join the fun.
Special thanks to event coordinators YPD, SLIC, and GesherCity.
For more information contact:
Margo Schwartz 314.442.3865,
Meira Bresler 442.3770,
Marisa Reby 314.691.0076