PRESS RELEASE

Reggae Pop Star Matisyahu to Headline at Martha’s Vineyard’s Jewish Culture Festival

Martha’s Vineyard, MA– The community of Martha’s Vineyard will gather on July 22 for the second annual Jewish Culture Festival in West Tisbury. Open to visitors and residents of Martha’s Vineyard, the festival is a chance for Islanders to come together and participate in a cultural experience celebrating Jewish culture and identity with food, wine, art, and music.

“It has been a difficult year for Israel and Jews around the world, and people want to be together,” said Rabbi Tzvi Alperowitz, who co-directs Chabad on the Vineyard with his wife, Hadassah, and organizes the event. “It's important that Jewish identity be more than just about combating hatred. We believe that the festival will provide a meaningful opportunity for community and celebration.”

Headlining this year’s festival is internationally-renowned reggae artist Matisyahu, whose hit songs “One Day,” “Jerusalem” and “King without a Crown” have topped global music charts. The festival will also feature local musical acts such as the Klezwoods, a Boston-based group whose musical stylings fuse Klezmer tradition with modern motifs; and Prophets & Singers, a Martha’s Vineyard home-grown rock band.

Attendees can expect a high-end culinary experience, with a specialty menu curated by French pastry chef Hudi Riven, featuring an extensive array of gourmet kosher foods highlighting Jewish cuisines from around the world. Royal Wine Corp. — the leading supplier and distributor of Kosher wine internationally — will host a tasting of their wines, whose origins span the globe. The culinary experience will be enriched by insightful panel discussions led by food and wine experts in a nearby tent.

The festival will also feature an immersive art exhibition curated by artist Shlome Hayun. Featured artists include Elizabeth Sutton, who will be painting live in addition to exhibiting her work, island artists Barney Zeitz, Debby Rosenthal, Rosalie Shane, Ronni Simon, and Carrie Peckar, and Judaica artists Sury Neuman and Shaindy Lefkowitz, who will shine the spotlight on Jewish identity, inspiration, and spirituality. Visiting Israeli artists Enatnesh Yallow and Nitzan Mintz & Dede Bandaid will also be present.

“As a child of Holocaust survivors, I identify deeply with my Jewish identity, and Jewish continuity is a high priority,” said festival committee member Harriet Schleifer, who along with her husband Len are one of the festival’s sponsors. “This festival is an opportunity to help ensure Jewish continuity and share the richness of our culture with the entire Vineyard community.”

Festival Directors

Rabbi Tzvi & Hadassah Alperowitz

Adivsory Committee

Bob Deresiewicz, Sofya Nadelstein, Beth Nadel, Harriet Schleifer, Jim Shane, Adam Zoia, Therese Sonenshine, Kurt Schwartz

Event Planner

Jessica Shai - Gather Events MV