Thousands Enjoy Jewish Family Festival in Chicago

Although Lag B’omer this year was on a Thursday, the Shluchim in Illinois joined together to capitalize on the success of last year’s event and once again produced the Great Jewish Family Festival.

The festival took place at the popular Westfield Old Orchard venue in Skokie and was attended by thousands from throughout the Metropolitan Chicago area, who were treated to a highly organized and fun filled five hour celebration.

The event site was filled with activities for all ages with exciting rides, laser games, a 32’ climbing wall, and organizational booths. A big hit was the all “all you can eat BBQ” and the children’s rally where the Shavuos Ten Commandments Contest was launched.

The non-stop entertainment stage featured the musical sensation FarbrengItOn, comedian ventriloquist Chuck Field, Ruby Harris & his band, and guest star Yoel Sharabi.

Celebrities at the GJFF included Chicago Bears punter Adam Podlesh, Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen and Ira Kirsche of Hungarian Kosher Foods – who helped sponsor the event.

The program concluded with a huge Lag B’omer bonfire and kumsitz led by Yoel Sharabi that had everyone on their feet in celebration of this joyous day.

A special thanks goes to all the many volunteers and especially the students of the Lubavitch Girls High School in Chicago for ensuring a smoothly run event.

The dedicated efforts of the steering committee – Rabbi Yosef Moscowitz, Director of the Great Jewish Family Festival, and Rabbis Yochanan Posner, Meir Hecht, Avrohom Kagan, Meir Moscowitz, Zelik Moscowitz, Levi Notik and Moshe Wolf – were apparent in every detail of the festival.

Photos by Benjamin Lapid and Yakov Strelchin