Chabad Center Plans Jewish Music and Arts Festival

Everyone loves an outdoor summer festival, and the Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge is gearing up to present the first annual Jewish Music and Art Festival, on Sunday, August 15.

"For the last few years, we've presented a Jewish summer concert," Rabbi Yitzchok Moully, Chabad's program director, said in a press release. "This year, we decided to expand the program to a encompassing full blown Jewish Music and Art Festival. The Festival will include live music bands, a children's performer and displays of Jewish art, crafts and creativity. There will also be lots of great food in the form of a delicious glatt kosher barbecue with all the trimmings and other kosher foods."

The main musical performers will be three live-bands; popular ska artist King Django's klezmer band, "Roots and Culture," NY-based roots reggae group, "Pey Dalid," and Israeli born indie-rock band, "Moshav."

Chabad promises all three bands will "rock you and change the way you think about Jewish music." While older kids and adults enjoy the music, the children's performer will provide the entertainment for the festival's youngest crowd.

The event will be held on the seven acres campus of the Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge. Organizers are expecting to attract more than 1,000 people – Jews and non-Jews alike. "This event will have lots of energy and will really bring the community together in a exciting way," Moully said. "This is the first such event in the region and the Somerset Hills area is in for a treat."

The festival will be from 12 – 7 p.m. at 3048 Valley Road, Basking Ridge, NJ Parking is available at the Chabad Center as well as across the street and down the road with a shuttle bus. Directions are available at www.JMAfest.com. Festival goers are encouraged to bring a blanket, spread out and enjoy the diverse sounds and sights of the Jewish music and art.

Tickets are $13 before August 15 at www.JMAfest.com and $15 at the door. Family ticket packages are $60 and children under two are free.

"This will be a family program for the entire community," said Moully. "We hope it will be enjoyed by people of all ages." Organizers hope the festival becomes an opportunity for the wider community to experience and enjoy Jewish culture and creativity.

For more information about the festival  go to www.JMAfest.com or info@JMAfest.com or (908) 604-8844 ext. 229.

Organizations and groups of 10 or more are encouraged to contact the office for special group and early registration discounts.

Seeking Vendors

The Chabad Center is also seeking art and crafts vendors to present their wares at the festival.

"To complement [the entertainment], we are seeking vendors to present Jewish and Israeli items for sale," Moully said. "It will be the perfect match for festival of Jewish culture."

To participate in the program, vendors should go to www.JMAfest.com and fill out the forums. For further information contact Rabbi Moully at art@jmafest.com or (908) 448-1417.