Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
Sunday’s 20th Boulder Jewish Festival was nearly washed away by heavy, intermittent thunderstorms, but that did not deter thousands from visiting the Festival anyway. And the wet interludes provided the impetus for people to dash under organizations’ tents, and the ensuing long conversations resulted in many organizations reporting their best new contact lists in years.
Musical highlights included Mikey Paulker, named by “Time Magazine” as one of the top 10 stars of new Jewish Music, and “Off Lines”, a duo composed of jazz pianist Guy Mintus and renowned Israeli composer, percussionist, oudist & vocalist Yinon Muallem, who has made his home in Istanbul for the past 12 years.
Joining them on the Festival Main Stage were regulars Cowboy Hersch, Sherefe, the Boulder Klezmer Consort, and Or Zimrah. The latter group, Congregation Har HaShem’s house band, featured the only artist to perform at all 20 Boulder Jewish Festivals, vocalist (and Cantorial Soloist) Holli Berman. Holli may also be the only person to have attended all 20 Festivals. If you have, or know others who have, please tell us in the comments!
Just prior to Or Zimrah’s performance, Jonathan Lev, the Executive Director of the Boulder Jewish Community Center, made a special presentation to Cheryl Fellows. She has been a member of the all-volunteer BJF organizing committee for 19 years, leading the committee for the last 16 years. Fellows overcame personal health challenges this year to once again lead the effort to bring this year’s Festival to life.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Presented to
Cheryl Fellows
On behalf of the Boulder JCC and the entire community, we honor you for your dedication, commitment, and passion that bring the Boulder Jewish Festival to our community.
“Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” — Anonymous”
The Boulder Jewish News also congratulates Cheryl and thanks her for her dedication to this community. We hope to see you all in 2015 at the 21st Boulder Jewish Festival! And for those of you who, in all the excitement (means: weather) on the day of, forgot to purchase your 2014 Festival t-shirt, you can get yours at the Boulder JCC – but you can order now and pick up later. Quantities and sizes are limited. Thank you for helping support the Festival!
Here is a quick re-cap of the T-Shirt art from the 20 Boulder Jewish Festivals, starting in 1995. How many do you remember? How many do you have? Tell us in the comments.
