Celebrate Jewish Culture

Temple Israel’s 17th annual ShalomFest, Tulsa’s premier and popular celebration of Jewish religion, culture, food, art and music

Temple Israel’s 17th annual ShalomFest, Tulsa’s premier and popular celebration of Jewish religion, culture, food, art and music, is Sunday, October 3 from noon to 6 p.m. It’s an afternoon of free, family-friendly culture and entertainment. As always, ShalomFest is held on Temple Israel’s grounds at 2004 E. 22nd Pl. (just south of Utica Square).

“One of the big draws at ShalomFest is the food we prepare and serve,” says Seth Lapidus, chairman of ShalomFest. “The food is the first thing a lot of people think of when they think of ShalomFest. We really highlight Jewish and Israeli food and baked goods, and just about all of it is made from scratch by our congregants from traditional recipes.” ShalomFest’s traditional Jewish and Israeli foods include corned beef sandwiches, kosher hot dogs, matzo ball soup, falafel, cabbage rolls, chopped liver, and kugel (a baked pudding or casserole). An assortment of baked goods will be available as well, including the always-popular black and white frosted sugar cookies, macaroons, rugelach (a nut and cinnamon pastry), and hamantaschen (a traditional cookie of the festival of Purim).

During ShalomFest, you can take a tour of the temple in English, Spanish or sign language, and you can watch a number of model ceremonies in the temple sanctuary, including a Jewish wedding and a reading and discussion about the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament). You’ll also have the opportunity to peruse displays on Israel and on Jewish holidays.

There will be live music throughout the day, as musicians will perform various types of Jewish music. Quite a few vendors will be at ShalomFest, too, offering a variety of Jewish- and Israel-themed art and craft items. There will be activities for the kids, including a Jupiter Jump, face painting, and hands-on arts and crafts. ShalomFest is a fundraiser for Temple Israel, and all the work is done by hundreds of volunteers each year.

“One of our goals with ShalomFest is community outreach,” says Lapidus. “It’s a great opportunity for us to invite the community into the temple, to introduce them to Judaism, to tell them what we’re all about. It’s also a great way for our own congregants to get involved, for them to get to know their temple better, and to get to know each other better.”

ShalomFest is Sunday, October 3 from noon to 6 p.m. at Temple Israel (2004 E. 22nd Pl.). Admission is free. For more information, contact Temple Israel or visit them on the web at www.shalomfest.com.

For more information, contact

Temple Israel

2004 E. 22nd Pl.

Tulsa, OK 74114

(918) 747-1309

www.shalomfest.com