17th Shoreline Jewish Festival On the Guilford Green

The 17th annual Shoreline Jewish Festival will take place on the Guilford Green. The festival features various styles of Jewish music, traditional and Israeli fair food (all kosher), Jewish book sale, vendors and crafters, and children’s crafts and activities.

“This festival celebrates Jewish life and living,” explains Rabbi Yossi Yaffe, director of Chabad of the Shoreline and coordinator of the event. “The music, the food, the entertainment–people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy it and have come to regard it as a Shoreline summer tradition.”

This year’s musical lineup features Fishel Bresler’s Klezmer Ensemble, Tali Yess and Chillent.

Fishel Bresler and Tsibeles of Rhode Island are one of the New England’s most popular klezmer bands and will play from 12:00-1:30 PM. Klezmer music is a mix of Balkans and blues, jazz and spirit, Jewish culture, prayer and history. Critics call Fishel’s music “a rich and lively mix that laughs, cries, dances, soars and dives to reach the hearts and souls of his audiences.”

Tali Yess will play from 1:45-3:15 PM. Yess is the son of the late great Jewish musician Moshe Yess, and he will play his father’s greatest hits, as well as original compositions and Chassidic melodies. “I am part of a generation that grew up with Moshe Yess’s music,” notes Rochel Baila Yaffe of Chabad of the Shoreline “Moshe created soulful music about the American Jewish experience, and the lyrics went straight to your heart. Tali is bringing this wonderful music to a new generation.”

Chillent returns to the Shoreline Jewish Festival by popular demand and will play from 3:30-5:00 PM. Fans describe this band as “SoulLive at a Jewish wedding” and “the klezmer Phish.” With origins as a weekly jam session in their hometown of Pittsburgh, Chillent has grown and attracted lovers of funk, jazz, blues, and world music. “Chillent” is a play on the word cholent, a Jewish stew. Chillent lives up to its name, offering up a mix of original compositions, spicy jazz and funk covers, and novel interpretations of Jewish favorites.

Artists and artisans will sell a variety of Judaica, jewelry, clothing and artwork. Books of Jewish interest for both children and adults will be available for sale. Festival-goers can choose from a variety of (kosher) fair favorites, including pulled beef brisket, hamburgers, hot dogs, falafel (an Israeli fried-chickpea specialty), grilled chicken schwarma, potato knishes, fresh mini donuts, cotton candy, sno-cones and more. Children’s activities include inflatable bouncy fun, as well as Jewish-themed arts & crafts projects.

Sponsorship is provided by Mr. Boris Mizhen, Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, Gladeview Rehab & Health Care in Old Saybrook, the Guilford Courier, Shoreline TMS & Interventional Psychiatry, Water’s Edge Resort and Spa.

Admission is free. Food, crafts and vendor items are for sale. You can also order tickets online before midnight of August 7, and pick up your envelope of prepared tickets in the express line at the festival. Artists can reserve a booth for the day for a fee of $85. To help sponsor this unique event, to reserve a booth, or for more information, visit www.ShorelineJewishFestival.com. For anything else, please contact Rabbi Yaffe at (203) 533-7495 or chabad@snet.net.