Press Release

Media Contact: John Bourget
phone: 860.231.6350
email: jbourget@mandelljcc.org

MANDELL JEWISH COMMUNITY HOSTS THE 33rd ANNUAL
GREATER HARTFORD ISRAEL FOLK FESTIVAL
Israel@60 Celebration Event

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., February 8, 2008- The Mandell Jewish Community will be hosting the 33RD annual Greater Hartford Israel Folk Festival on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m. at the Center's Herbert Gillman Theater on the Zachs Campus- 335 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford. The event will mark the kick-off of the community celebration of Israel@60 which commemorates Israel's 60 years of independence.

The afternoon will showcase the dancing and musical talents representing synagogues, schools and community agencies from throughout the Greater Hartford area. Among the synagogues and schools to be represented are Beth El Temple (West Hartford), Bess and Paul Siegel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford, Beth Hillel Synagogue (Bloomfield),Congregation Beth Shalom, (Manchester), Congregation Kol Haverim (Glastonbury), Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation /Emek Shalom (Simsbury) , Machol B'Yom Chol (Mandell JCC ) and Solomon Schechter Day School (West Hartford).

The scheduled intergenerational performances will include music and dance depicting this year's theme, Yisrael Bat Shishim!- Israel is 60!

Schools and organizations who are interested in participating in the performance may call the Mandell Jewish Community Center at 860- 236-4571. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call Marla Cohen at 860-242-4130 or visit www.mandelljcc.org.

About the MANDELL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
The Mandell JCC is a community and cultural center that offers a full range of activities, classes and special events for people of all beliefs, ages and stages. The JCC's offerings include early child centers and after school programs, a summer camp, recreation and wellness facilities, health spas, an indoor pool, a swim and tennis club, an arts center and more. The JCC has a rich history which dates back more than 90 years and has continued to expand and evolve into its current role as a significant community and family resource for the Greater Hartford area. The JCC also has childcare facilities in Simsbury and Glastonbury.