Message From the Festival Chair
Welcome to the Jewish Heritage Festival Website...
The Festival started as the vision of the Temple Presidents' Council for Volusia and Flagler Counties. A Steering Committee began meeting in January, 2007 leading to our first Festival in March, 2008 which was a rousing success that drew 10,000 visitors. As one of our food vendors told the Daytona Beach News-Journal after our first Festival: "This is better than Bike Week!" The Festival is now planned to be a biennial event and this year has two Grand Sponsors to whom we are extremely grateful - Bright House Networks and the Endowment Committee of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties.
The event is non-profit (with 501(c)(3) status) involving all eight of the local synagogues, Bet Sefer Heritage School and the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler counties. Festival funding comes from Corporate Sponsorships and Family/Individual Donations. The Festival features nationally acclaimed entertainment, Kosher, Israeli and Jewish-style food, Israeli and Judaica artists and vendors, Jewish Organization booths, and exhibits including a Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Hall of Fame. There will be hourly speakers in our Hall of Fame including renowned authors. Children's entertainment will be available throughout the day including a rock climbing wall, matzoh baking, inflatables, a power jump, dunking booth, face painting, a petting zoo and camel rides. You may even run into Moses! Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Our MC on our stage this year is the ever popular Moira from Real Radio's Phillips Phile. We have added a reasonably priced pre-Festival concert the night before the Festival featuring Jewish music star Rick Recht.
The Festival expresses the heart and soul of Jewish Florida. It intertwines the sounds, sights, and spirit of Jewish culture and brings together every facet of the Jewish Community, young and old, singles and families, regardless of their religious and cultural background. Like other cultural festivals, we also want to share our heritage with others - you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy a Jewish Festival! Let's celebrate Jewish Heritage. Please don't miss an opportunity to be part of this special event.
Jeffrey Bigman, Chair
For More Information, Please Call:
386-316-3626