EDITOR’S NOTE: We received the following e-mail announcement:

Date: May 8, 2013 4:38:02 PM MDT
Hi:

I just wanted to pass this along in case anyone might like to come visit Boise next month.

As a member of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, I’ve developed the first ever Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival. Attached are all the details.

It would be so exciting to see some folks from around Idaho and neighboring states come out to participate in this inaugural event.

Attached is the press release and all the details. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and feel free to forward this to all the Mishpachah.

Shalom,

Oliver Thompson
Director: Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival
othompson@cableone.net
541-231-4971

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deli Days Premiers as Expanded Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival with Jewish Food, Cinema, Music, Dance and Art

Volunteers update Deli Days as part of a larger event to enhance appreciation of Jewish culture

[Boise, Idaho] May 7, 2013 – Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (CABI) announces the Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival (IJCF) June19-23rd, 2013. The new IJCF event commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the move of the historic synagogue from its original location on State Street to its current location on Latah. Deli Days, a cherished longtime tradition for both the synagogue and the community, expands this year into the inaugural Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival. The festival runs from Wednesday, June 19 through Sunday, June 23. Jewish deli food will still be available at the festival’s original centerpiece event, Deli Days, Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21. Other events will share Jewish culture with the Treasure Valley, and include a dinner theater performance featuring Jewish folk music, an Art Exhibit, screening of a Jewish-themed film, and workshops on Jewish music and dance.

“Jewish culture is bigger than our historic synagogue on Latah,” said Oliver Thompson, a longtime member of Ahavath Beth Israel, “it’s bigger than Boise, and bigger than the Treasure Valley. The scale, diversity and beauty of Idaho provide a perfect backdrop for the multi-faceted traditions, culture and values represented by Jews today.”

“Other synagogues and Jewish communities around the state have been invited to take part,” Thompson said, “adding a statewide aspect to the festival.”

The Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival presents a variety of events to share this Jewish history with the Treasure Valley. A full list of events can be found on the attached fact sheet. As a volunteer, organizer, and musical performer in Boise for 16 years, what gets Thompson most excited begins with the music. “Ten years ago, as we were moving our synagogue, the Klezmer band, Millie and the Mentshn, came to play and commemorate the event. I was instantly hooked on the music. Ten years later, they are back to help us launch the new Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival.”

The Idaho Jewish Cultural Festival relies on nearly 150 years of Jewish tradition in Idaho. Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel is built on the foundations of the two original Jewish communities in the Treasure Valley. Their campus on Latah Street features the historic synagogue, the oldest synagogue in continuous use west of the Mississippi River, a large education center used for religious school and other Jewish celebrations, and generous outdoor space which hosts a community garden.

Contact:
Amy Russell, Marketing Coordinator
amyannrussell@gmail.com
208-850-5802

Oliver Thompson, IJCF Director
othompson@cableone.net
541-231-4971
 
IJCF Fact Sheet

Wed, June 19th: Jewish Dinner Theater
Sapphire Room, Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd
Doors open at 6:00pm, Dinner and Show at 6:30pm
Tickets: $35, Visit: http://dontgoawayhungry.brownpapertickets.com
A multi-media presentation, “Heavy Mettle: From Shtetl to Tin Pan Alley,” by Millie & the Mentshn. The story of Jewish immigrant families as their traditional Klezmer music quickly blended with sounds of the New World. Includes a buffet dinner; followed by Klezmer music & dancing. Second set dancing only tickets available, visit Brown Paper Tickets for more info.

Thurs & Fri, June 20-21: Deli Days
Ahavath Beth Israel, 11 N. Latah
11am-8pm, Free and Open to the public.
Performances will feature Millie & the Mentshn: 12:30-1:30, 5:45-6:30, & 6:45-7:30 on both days. Other entertainment will be announced. Traditional Jewish Deli food will be sold, see the full menu on right.

Sat, June 22nd: Israeli Art Exhibit
Boise Art Museum, 670 Julia Davis Drive
Museum Hours: 10am-5pm.
Art Exhibit opening of African-American artist Kehinde Wiley and his portraits of Israeli men from 2010. For more on the artist and the exhibit, see: http://boiseartmuseum.org/exhibit/future.php.

Sat, June 22nd: Music and Dance workshop
Boise Art Museum, 670 Julia Davis Drive
2:00-3:30pm, Free and Open to the public.
This workshop features a live band playing traditional Jewish folk melodies. A professional Jewish folk dance instructor will lead the workshop for dancers of all levels.

Sat, June 22nd: Jewish Music Concert
Boise Art Museum, 670 Julia Davis Drive
6:30-8pm: Free with paid BAM admission.
In conjunction with the Kehinde Wiley exhibit gala opening event, a performance by Millie & the Mentshn will cap off the evening.

Sat, June 22nd: Havdallah in the Park
Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
8:30pm, Come participate in the Jewish ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat (the Sabbath). This short event represents the demarcation between the “normal” work week and the day of rest and features prayer, singing and community as we wish each other “a week of peace.”

Sun, June 23rd: Jewish Films at the Flicks
The Flicks, 646 Fulton Street
12:30pm, Tickets TBD
Showing “The Rabbi’s Cat,” a French animated film, tells the story of a rabbi’s cat that learns how to speak after swallowing the family parrot, and expresses his desire to convert to Judaism.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1355638/

About Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel
A progressive synagogue located at 11 N. Latah Street. The historic synagogue building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was moved from its original State Street location in 2003. Video of the move is available on the DVD “The Big Move: The Journey of Boise’s Historic Synagogue.
http://www.ahavathbethisrael.org/