September 17, 2006

Be'chol Lashon is delighted to join the 7th annual
To Life! A Jewish Cultural Street Festival in  Palo Alto.

Be'chol Lashon Information Tent

It is important that Be'chol Lashon be a strong and visible presence at Israel in the Gardens! While Israel in the Gardens does not require an RSVP, as with all Be'chol Lashon events, let us know if you are coming. RSVP to 415.386.2604 or Danielle@jewishresearch.org. And then be sure to check in at the Be’chol Lashon Information Tent when you arrive.

Please help us get the word out. Invite family and friends, as well as your synagogue, school, and other communities.

Be'chol Lashon Arts & Crafts Tent – Come make Shavuot gifts to share with your whole family!

African/Jewish Art – Besamim Havdallah Project
Come celebrate the emergence of spring by breathing in the spices of renewal! “Besamim” (spices) remind us of the beautiful fragrance of the season. Use a variety of African, West Indian, and European spices to create a potpourri sachet or a spice box for Havdalah. They make a great gift for Shavuot.

Latino/Jewish Art – Paper Cuts & Tissue Paper Flowers
Called “papel picado” in Spanish and “shavuoslech” in Yiddish, colorful cut paper flowers, plants, and other designs have been used as holiday decorations in Jewish homes in Mexico, Europe, and North Africa for centuries. Make your own bright tissue paper flowers or colorful construction paper “picado” to adorn the walls of your house.  
 
Asian/Jewish Art – Block Printing
In the Torah, Shavuot is celebrated as the Festival of the First Fruits of the Spring Harvest. Asian cultures have also traditionally celebrated the first harvest of the year. Make block prints of typical “bikkurim” (harvest fruits and vegetables) from China and Israel using hand-carved linoleum block prints. For younger children, we will provide paper copies of the harvest fruits to color in with markers and crayons.  Adults are welcome too!

Volunteers
We are also looking for volunteers to help throughout the day. Call 415.386.2604 or Danielle@JewishResearch.org to learn about how you can help.

Be'chol Lashon Multicultural Theatre Stage
           
              • Jewish voices from Ethiopia, Russia, England, Israel, and the United States
              • Drama, Stand-Up Comedy, Slam Poetry, Music, and Dance

Vladimir Friedman - I Was Born There (Russian)
	Standing in the center of the stage, accompanied by a guitar and a speaking into a microphone, Vladimir Friedman tells about immigration to Israel in this one-man show. An actor in the theatre of life, he immigrated from Russia in 1991, and has since acted in over 40 films in Israel and abroad, such as the award winning films Yanna's Friends and Broken Wings. Friedman is the winner of the Russian "Person of the year" award for film and theatre and is one of the top ten most successful actors in Israel.
Yossi Vassa - It Sounds Better in Amharic (Hebrew & English)
	It Sounds Better in Amharic is Ethiopian-Israeli writer and comedian Yossi Vassa's moving, personal account of his 700-kilometer journey on foot from Ethiopia to a refugee camp in Sudan, followed by an airplane flight to a new home in Israel. Co-written and directed by Shay Ben Atar, the acclaimed one-man play mixes nostalgic memories of life in Ethiopia with hilarious perspectives on adjusting to life in modern-day Israel. On the Be'chol Lashon Stage, Yossi will perform the play twice, once in Hebrew and once in English. Yossi Vassa was born in Ethiopia and emigrated to Israel in 1985 at age 10. After graduating from Haifa University's Theatre Arts department, Yossi completed his military service, where he was an actor in the IDF Theatre Company. He also has acted in numerous Israeli films, including "Danny Wolman's Foreign Sister" and "Go, Be and Die."
Vanessa Hidary - Spoken-Word Artist (English)
	In her poetic spoken word performances, actress/poet/playwright Vanessa Hidary seamlessly blends the multicultural hip-hop of her New York youth with her family’s strong Sephardic/Mizrahi heritage. Her solo show, "Culture Bandit", chronicles her coming-of-age as a Jewish woman who weaves bonds between seemingly unlikely ethnic and religious communities. She has appeared at urban and women’s theatre festivals across the United States, has been a featured poet on HBO’s award-winning series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, and is a member of the NYC-based troupe, “Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad.” For the Be’chol Lashon Stage, Vanessa will be performing selections from her spoken-word and poetry series.
Robbie Gringras & Adam Mader - Why Am I (Still) Here (English)
	Robbie is world-renowned solo theatre performer whose Jewish-themed plays have been performed globally and on London's West End. He is also an educational consultant, inspirational speaker, and graduate of the prestigious Jerusalem Fellows program.  He grew up in the Jewish community of Britain and has been living in Israel since 1996. His work bridges the Israel-Diaspora connection with empathy and insight. Robbie lives in the secular world, while his knowledge base and research specialties are deeply religious. Why Am I (Still) Here is a celebration of the complexities of life in Israel through stories and songs.  Personal anecdotes and woven stories combine with great Israeli songs of the last ten years to create an unforgettable experience of humor, emotion, and warmth. "In the end Aliya isn't about arriving. It's about staying."
Rachel Factor - J.A.P. (English)
	Born “Christine Masaye Horii” to a non-religious Japanese-American family in Honolulu, Rachel Factor attended a private school founded by Christian missionaries until, as a young woman, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a dancer, singer, and actress. From there she appeared on Broadway in Shogun, the Musical and Miss Saigon, and at Radio City Musical Hall as a “World Famous Rockette.” Then she met a nice Jewish boy and converted to Judaism, first by a Conservative and then by an Orthodox beit din. For the Be’chol Lashon Stage, Rachel has created a special version of her acclaimed one-woman show, J.A.P., which tells the story of her journey to Judaism. Rachel, her husband, Tovia, and their two children now reside in Jerusalem. ... More

ISRAEL IN THE GARDENS ... More
In addition to the special Be’chol Lashon activities described above, there will be:
              • Headliner Performance by Israeli musician Rami Kleinstein featuring Shiri Maimon
              • An Israeli Fashion Show
              • Israel In Motion Film Festival
              • “Shuk Yerushalyim” Craft Market
              • Israeli Style Food
              • Tzavta Young Adult Zone & After Party at Ruby Skye