KlezCalendar

The 2006 Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, the heart and soul of
Jewish Chicago, will be held on Sunday, June 11, at the Forest
Preserve at Oakton (8000 N) and Lehigh (6300 W) in Morton
Grove, from 11am-6pm. The multi-talented singer, songwriter
Lisa Loeb will headline as part of continuous music and dance
throughout the day.

Unique in its celebration of Jewish culture in America, the
festival seeks to combine all aspects of the Chicagoland Jewish
community. Four stages of music and dance create a vibrant
background for over 40,000 attendees, who also can wander
through the extensive art bazaar featuring artists from the U.S.
and Israel.

Several acts are new to the festival this year. In addition to Lisa
Loeb, the Jewish rock band, Blue Fringe, will perform, and the
Urban Tunells Klezmerband is coming all the way from Norway
for their first American appearance. Past Festival favorites such
as Debbie Friedman, Stuart Rosenberg, Jeff Klepper and Rabbi
Joe Black are returning to entertain their fans.

Representing the backbone of the Jewish community will be over
80 booths of co-sponsoring Jewish organizations reflecting the
community's interests and diversity. Nearby visitors can browse
in the Book Shuk, where visiting authors will sign their latest
works.

With their parents in tow, children will revel at the Hands-On
tent and the kids stage.

Everyone will enjoy the strictly kosher food court, which features
several cooking demonstrations in addition to falafel, pizza, ice
cream and more.

The Festival has something for everyone--teens, adults, children
and seniors; families, singles and groups of friends; cultural,
religious or secular Jews; those interested in any part of Jewish
life. "The Festival provides an opportunity for our community to
come together to celebrate Jewish culture rather than the crises
which punctuate our lives," commented Michael Lorge, the
Festival's founder and executive director.

The all-day Festival, the largest Jewish cultural event in Chicago,
is produced by the Jewish POCET, an all volunteer, non-profit
organization dedicated to creating quality events for the Chicago
Jewish community. Free parking next to the Festival grounds.

For more information or to volunteer for the Festival please call
847-933-3000 or visit at www.jewishfestival.org