On June 9, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Bucks County Kehillah hosted the biennial Bucks County Jewish Festival. Over 500 people attended this day of fun, food, music, activities and crafts at the Bucks County Community College. 

Local representatives were among the attendees, including Representative Tim Brennan, Representative Kristin Marcell, Representative Joseph Hogan, PA State Senator Frank Farry, and PA State Senator Steve Santarsiero.

“It was a beautiful afternoon of celebration and community,” said the Jewish Federation’s Director of Community Development Max Moline. “With the unprecedented rise in antisemitism following the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, this festival was more important than ever to unite the community through Jewish culture and pride. I am continuously inspired by the passion and resilience of our Jewish community.”

Co-chaired by Mo Perera and Shari Wohl, the festival was supported by a team of over 40 volunteers and the following Jewish Festival Committee members: Howard Cohen, Jacki Cohen, Scott Endicter, Marsha Flager, Barbara Glickman, Laurie Ann Moore, Debbie Rosenberg, Nason Russ, Sharon Segarra, Alan Sheinberg, Marilyn Sheinberg, Jon Stevens, Sue Weiner, Susan Medoff and Reba Weinreich.

“This festival was a true labor of love,” said the Jewish Federation’s Bucks County Kehillah Chair Howard Greenberg. “As the Bucks County Kehillah, we are here to connect our Jewish community to each other and to their shared identity as a proud and joyous people.”

In connecting the community, 36 synagogues and other nonprofits also participated in the festivities, tabling at the event to share their resources and work with individuals and families across the Greater Philadelphia region. 

The event was sponsored by the following organizations and members of the community: Jewish Exponent, Acrisure, El Al Airlines and Journeys Unlimited, GIANT Food Stores, Goldstein’s Rosenberg’s Funeral Directors, Inc.,Wegmans, Alan and Marilyn Sheinberg, The Borscht Belt, Gold Line Insurance, Howard Greenberg, Joseph Levine & Sons, Lubavitch of Bucks County, Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, Pinnacle Physicians Group: Parkwood Medical Practice, Shir Ami Congregation, The Silverman Group, LLC, Vacationeeze, Congregation Kol Emet, McCaffrey’s Food Markets, Rita’s Italian Ice and anonymous individuals. 

Among the attendees were local representatives, including PA State Senator Steve Santarsiero.

Participants enjoyed the beautiful day while relaxing, eating food and listening to live music. 

Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the festivities. 

There was a rock climbing wall for kids to test their skills.

Over 40 vendors were present to showcase the Jewish community and culture.

Kids enjoyed spirited games of gaga, a moonbounce and an inflatable obstacle course. 

Participants learned more about the Jewish Federation while winning some prizes. 

Thank you to the media for covering the festival:

WATCH: NBC Philadelphia

WATCH: CBS Philadelphia

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The Bucks County Kehillah is part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s neighborhood initiative to create a vibrant Jewish community. The Bucks County Kehillah works to connect Bucks County’s 65,000 Jewish residents through cultural, educational and social activities. 

Since 1901, the Jewish Federation has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we invest more than $61 million each fiscal year to care for those in need, combat antisemitism and global crisis, and strengthen Jewish identity. For more information, please visit: https://jewishphilly.org/.