Contact: Rabbi Yossi Yaffe                                                                              For Immediate Release
Phone: 203-645-4635                                                                                                 July 10, 2025
Email: [email protected]

19th SHORELINE JEWISH FESTIVAL ON GUILFORD GREEN

Guilford, CT--The 19th annual Shoreline Jewish Festival will take place Sunday, August 10, from 12-5 PM on the Guilford Green. The festival celebrates Jewish life and living on the Shoreline and features various styles of Jewish music, traditional and Israeli fair food (all kosher), Jewish book sale, vendors and crafters, and children’s crafts and activities.

This year’s musical lineup features Klezmerfest!, Rostover String Quartet, the Jon Madof Trio and Later Prophets.

Klezmerfest! is a vibrant klezmer band rooted in the joyous Eastern European tradition. Led by Greg Wall on clarinet, with Ben Holmes on trumpet, Zev Zions on accordion, Brian Glassman on bass, and Aaron Alexander on drums, the band brings to life the festive dance music of the old country. From lively freylachs and bulgars to soulful doynas and spiritual chassidls, Klezmerfest! offers a heartwarming, foot-stomping experience that bridges the shtetls of the past with today’s dynamic Lower East Side revival.

The Rostover String Quartet, led by Laura Melnicoff on cello, plays Chassidic tunes composed by the seven generations of Rebbes of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. These tunes, called nigunim, express deep yearning, joy, and spiritual connection. These timeless melodies offer a link to the inner world of Chassidism, with new arrangements by Israel Edelson and production by Yuvla Media.

The Jon Madof Trio brings a bold, genre-defying sound that spans avant-garde jazz, post-rock energy, minimalist classical textures, and traditional Jewish music. The trio features guitarist and composer Jon Madof, Yoshie Fruchter on bass and Nate Rappaport on drums. Praised by The New York Times as “a truly soulful experience” and The Village Voice as “a marvelous mashup,” the trio delivers a powerful, inventive performance that pushes the boundaries of contemporary Jewish music.

Inspired by the visions of the prophets and mystics, Later Prophets is the latest project from the Jazz Rabbi, saxophonist and ordained rabbi Greg Wall, together with master percussionist Aaron Alexander, keyboardist Shai Bachar and bassist Fima Ephron. The group draws on intricate biblical cantillation and blends it with modern jazz, funk, and avant-garde elements, creating a sound that is both spiritually resonant and musically daring. Their music offers a thrilling journey through time—an evocative, spiritually resonant soundtrack to some of the world’s oldest and most profound texts.

Artists and artisans will sell a variety of Judaica, jewelry, clothing and artwork. Books of Jewish interest will be available for sale for both children and adults. Festival-goers can choose from a variety of (kosher) fair favorites, including pulled beef brisket, hamburgers, hot dogs, falafel (an Israeli fried-chickpea specialty), grilled chicken schwarma, potato knishes, fresh mini donuts, cotton candy, sno-cones and more. Children’s activities include inflatable bouncy fun, as well as Jewish-themed arts & crafts projects.

Primary festival sponsor is Shoreline TMS & Interventional Psychiatry. Other sponsors include Mr. Matthew Evans, the Jewish Federation & Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, Gladeview Rehab & Health Care in Old Saybrook and Renewal by Andersen of Southern New England

Admission is free, but please register online. Food, crafts and vendor items are for sale. Artists can reserve a booth for the day for a fee of $85. To help sponsor this unique event, to reserve a booth, or for more information and to download the app, visit www.ShorelineJewishFestival.com. For anything else, please contact Rabbi Yaffe at (203) 533-7495 or [email protected].

Calendar Listing: 19th Annual Shoreline Jewish Festival -- A celebration of Jewish life! Sunday, August 10, 12:00-5:00 PM on the Guilford Green. Jewish music from around the world, children’s programs, Israeli food and other fair favorites. Jewish book sale, artists featuring Judaica & Jewish art, crafts for kids. Admission and entertainment are free. Food, crafts, Judaica and books are for sale. To help sponsor this unique event, to reserve a booth, to download the app or for more information, visit www.ShorelineJewishFestival.com. For anything else, please contact Rabbi Yaffe at (203) 533-7495 or [email protected].