--- title: "A Taste of Israel: Connecting to Jewish Heritage" description: As May begins, so does Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). image: https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Israel%2075%20BLOG%20image%20(9).png --- [![Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/JewishFederation_May2019/images/logo--color.svg)](https://jewishphilly.org/) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - 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This is a time when Jews across the country can honor their unique connections to their culture: from music to traditions and, of course, food. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will pay homage to all of these expressions of heritage as well as the Jewish people’s collective connection to the State of Israel at the A Taste of Israel Festival on Sunday, May 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Saligman Campus in Wynnewood.   During this family-friendly afternoon, there will be an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to experience the creations by five-time James Beard Foundation Award-Winning Chef Michael Solomonov along with other top local chefs. The cultural festival will also feature activities, crafts and performances by the renowned a cappella group Six13.   The festival is a culmination of the Jewish Federation’s Israel 75 events this spring to celebrate this milestone achievement as well as the beauty and diversity of the people who live there.   Here’s a taste of how some of our A Taste of Israel Festival leadership connect to their Jewish heritage:   ![cari alan-3](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/cari%20alan-3.jpg?width=250&height=250&name=cari%20alan-3.jpg)“I connect to my Jewish heritage through my children. Seeing our sons, Max and Ari, being actively involved in Hillel and at Chabad in college, and then being accepted into the Onward Israel program this summer shows me that our Jewish identity and legacy will continue on through the next generation.”  - Alan Lasdon     “I connect with my Jewish heritage daily by trying to live and practice the three moral principles of justice, healing the world and acts of loving kindness. As I go about my day, I’m cognizant of these principles, try to live by them, and act as a role model for my two college-age sons so that they, too, will live by these Jewish values and pass them on to the next generation.”  - Cari Lasdon   ![Shelby 2-3](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Shelby%202-3.jpg?width=250&height=250&name=Shelby%202-3.jpg)“I connect with my Jewish heritage in many ways, including, celebrating the Jewish holidays and Shabbat every week, going on our recent family trip to Israel, sending my children to Jewish schools, or being involved with Jewish nonprofit organizations that ground me in Jewish communal work.”  - Shelby Zitelman     ![alex](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alex.png?width=250&height=294&name=alex.png)“I connect with my Jewish heritage through spending time with my family. Judaism and tradition are incredibly important, and some of my favorite memories are at cousins’ b’nei mitzvot, Passover Seders at my grandparents, Chanukkah at my Great Aunt’s, amongst countless other occasions.”  - Alex Freedman         \*\*\* R**eady to enjoy A Taste of Israel? Join the Jewish Federation’s festival on May 7 at** [**israel75.jewishphilly.org/festival.**](https://israel75.jewishphilly.org/events/a-taste-of-israel-festival/) Share [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.jewishphilly.org/a-taste-of-israel-connecting-to-jewish-heritage&title=A%20Taste%20of%20Israel:%20Connecting%20to%20Jewish%20Heritage) [Share on Twitter](http://twitter.com/home?status=A%20Taste%20of%20Israel:%20Connecting%20to%20Jewish%20Heritage+https://blog.jewishphilly.org/a-taste-of-israel-connecting-to-jewish-heritage) [Share by Email](mailto:?subject=A%20Taste%20of%20Israel:%20Connecting%20to%20Jewish%20Heritage&body=A%20Taste%20of%20Israel:%20Connecting%20to%20Jewish%20Heritage%20-%20https://blog.jewishphilly.org/a-taste-of-israel-connecting-to-jewish-heritage) ### Sign up for the *Jewish Philly* E-Newsletter [Back to The Latest](https://blog.jewishphilly.org) # Related Posts ## Blog June 30, 2026 # From Local Jewish Federation Real Estate Grants to Federal Investment: What Needs to be Done for Jewish Communal Security ## Blog June 29, 2026 # Upcoming Jewish Federation Events in July ## Blog June 26, 2026 # The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Mobilizes Community Members for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg [Tweets by JFedinPhilly](https://twitter.com/JFedinPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Find us on ![JFGP_KO_rgb](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JFGP_KO_rgb.png?width=300&height=84&name=JFGP_KO_rgb.png) Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Two Commerce Square 2001 Market Street, Suite 2300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 [215.832.0500](tel:1-215-832-0500) | [info@jewishphilly.org](mailto:info@jewishphilly.org) *The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia welcomes the participation of Jews across the religious spectrum, interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. 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