Music, food and fun are on tap this Sunday when the Moses Montefiore Congregation celebrates its 140th anniversary.
The celebration, coined by MMC president Meryl Brown as a “fun-raiser” (not a fundraiser), will feature a wide array of entertainment. It’s open to all ages, featuring a puppet show and kid’s corner with music and book reading for children. There also will be a concert, Israeli dancing and wine tasting of kosher and Israeli wine for adults.
It’s a replacement for the annual food fair the congregation used to hold. Brown said while the pandemic was the reason the food fair ended, it now presents the opportunity for something new.
“Our beloved food fair that we had for many many years unfortunately kind of went by the wayside during COVID,” said Brown. “And as a result, we found that we needed to really rebuild our community and the greater community of Bloomington-Normal’s awareness of who we are and what we are.”
Brown said the anniversary is a signal of strength.
“Here, to have such an enormous impact on our community, we are really excited to celebrate that; 140 years is so much because of everything that Jews have gone through,” said Brown. “And think about the history of Jews in the last 140 years. And here this community is super sustainable. Here we are, still here, always here, and we continue to look forward to being here.”
Brown said the congregation is testing the waters to see if this festival can be a full replacement to the food fair.
“We’re trying new things, getting our word out there, and really just celebrating the Jewish community here,” said Brown.
She said they plan on holding a similar event, if not the same event, next year. The festival will be held at the Moses Montefiore Congregation synagogue from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.
