Thursday, October 17, 2013

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Sofia, Bulgaria Celebrates Jewish Life


The first Festival of Jewish Culture was held outside the National Palace of Culture in Sofia on September 15 2013. The festival featured Jewish music, dance, art, cinema, literature and learning in 18 sukkah-shaped stalls. One of the presentations was on Jewish humor.

Bulgarian television celebrity chef Uti Buchvarov prepared a huge Shakshuka (one of the most popular egg dishes in Israel) for the visitors. The event was, organized by Shalom, the organization of the Jews in Bulgaria, with the support of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and a number of other organizations, including the Sofia municipality. 

The concept of the event was to give Bulgarian society the opportunity to better acquaint themselves with Bulgaria’s Jewish community in a way that organizers hope will become an annual tradition.

Especially popular was the opportunity to join in learning to make challah. Guests also had the chance to visit a replica of part of the Western Wall, and place papers with prayers, as is done in the original in Jerusalem.

Israel's ambassador in Sofia, Shaul Kamisa-Raz and leading members of the Jewish community attended the event. Musical attractions included performances by the Amsterdam Klezmer Band.


Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)



1 comment:

  1. This was wonderful. I am originally from Greece,please do this in Greece, it would give the Jews there such a lift after all the anti-semitism there lately. Rashelika

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