Tasting the Many Flavors of Jewish Life

Dancers clasped hands and threw each other across the stage Sunday as the crowd clapped to the vibrant rhythm from a wailing violin.

Clad in colorful, traditional clothing from Israel, Russia and Greece, the lithe dancers from the Keshet Chaim “Rainbow of Life” ensemble engaged the crowd with the varied cultural history of the global Jewish community.

“A Tapestry of Jewish Life” was the theme of the eighth Valley Jewish Festival, which spotlighted a breadth of diversity and provided a simcha, or joyous occasion, for the region’s Jewish community.

More than 30,000 people attended the Cal State Northridge event, which is billed as America’s largest Jewish gathering west of Chicago. The one-day festival is sponsored by the Jewish Federation’s Valley Alliance.

“There have been so many cultural influences with the Jewish traditions, food and dance, and it all comes together here in Los Angeles,” said Bonnie Somers, a spokeswoman for the festival. “It’s just a good event that brings everybody together.”

What started as the “Exodus Festival” in 1986 to promote the Jewish faith in what was then the Soviet Union has evolved into an event that both celebrates a culture and tackles social issues. This year, proceeds raised from the event will provide aid to Kosovar refugees. Organizers say the event helps them practice tikkun olam, Hebrew for helping to repair the world.

“The festival really makes the Jewish community more cohesive,” said Ken Slon, 37, of Pasadena as he strolled past rows of vendors selling clothes, books and religious items. “We get a chance to meet and know each other.”

Other entertainers included Yiddish singer Tanja Solnik, a Moroccan reggae band called Mongoose and the Ska band Save Ferris. Hamsa, a world music group composed of Jewish and Arab singers that combines Sephardic, Middle Eastern and Indian elements, also provided soothing sounds for the crowd.

“This is a great way to get to know people and of uniting the community,” said Millie Bloombaum, 69, of Culver City. “It’s especially good for the children to see their culture.”

The once-annual event became so large that it’s now held every other year. And this year the festival moved from Pierce College in Woodland Hills to CSUN because the campus had more room to accommodate booths and the growing crowd, Somers said.

Throngs of people filed past 150 booths for food, local businesses and community organizations, but one area of the festival seemed to be especially popular.

Single adults at the festival had a chance to make a love connection and meet a beshert, or soul mate, under a large tent filled with volunteers from 15 Jewish dating agencies. Personal ads were posted--some with photos--from lonely hearts looking for love.

Early in the morning, a “Meet the Mothers” forum allowed Jewish moms to recruit potential dates for their adult children. One mother distributed fliers of her 18-year-old daughter’s picture, listing her attributes and hobbies.

“Within the singles community, it’s common to place singles ads in the newspaper and meet strangers,” said Eva Fried, a volunteer for Jewish Active Singles in Los Angeles. “It’s hard to find a good Jewish mate, so we took matters into our own hands to allow people to meet here at the festival.”

Children had plenty to do at the eight-hour event as many took a spin on more than a dozen rides or created their own artworks at craft booths.

“I like painting, and I’m having fun,” 6-year-old Rio Blue said as she added some blue to a ceramic sea horse. “Today is about being together with your community.”

Festival-goers feasted on everything from junk food to kosher delicacies from around the world.

“All this food is great,” Mary Sheffield, 45, of Encino said as she stuffed a last bite of falafel into her mouth. “There’s so many more things I want to try.”

For Kelly Konorti of West Hills, the festival provided a sense of community and a forum for learning.

“I think it’s great seeing the different aspects of the Jewish heritage,” said Konorti, 34. “There’s just so much we can and should learn from each other.”