Chassida Shmella and 92nd Street Y Present The 2010 Sigd Festival 10/1

Chassida Shmella: The Ethiopian Jewish Community of North America and the 92nd Street Y Resource Center for Jewish Diversity present a unique celebration of Ethiopian Jewry-The Sigd. This festival has been celebrated for centuries as a commemoration of the acceptance of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The 2010 Sigd Festival is recommended for all ages.

The main event of the Sigd Festival, on Sunday, October 10 at 1:00 pm, features the first major New York appearance by the renowned Ethiopian-Israeli BETA Dance Troupe from Haifa, Israel, performing the traditional art of Eskesta-Ethiopian shoulder dancing. Combining African rhythms and music with ancient chants in Ge'ez, the sacred language of Ethiopian Jewry, along with both traditional and contemporary dance and movement, BETA Dance Troupe presents a compelling artistic interpretation of Ethiopian Jewish history and culture. In addition, while the dancing takes place on stage, Kessoch, akin to Rabbis, present traditional Ethiopian prayers and chants. After the dance performances, Y-Love-the first African-American Orthodox Jewish hip-hop artist-makes a special appearance, performing a new single written especially for the Sigd Festival. Y-Love's "global hip-hop" style seamlessly intertwines English, Arabic, Hebrew, Yiddish, Aramaic and Latin and combines ethereal scripture with gritty social consciousness while reflecting his own life-changing conversion to Judaism. The event is hosted by the legendary Israeli actress and singer Zamira Chenn.

The Sigd Festival takes place on Sunday, October 10 at 1pm at 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, in New York City. Ticket prices start at $25; $100 premium tickets include premiere seating in the front of the auditorium and admission to a VIP reception. To purchase tickets, visit www.92Y.org/Sigd.

On Friday, October 8 at 7:30 pm, prior to the main Sigd event, festival organizers offer patrons the opportunity to partake in a festive and authentic Ethiopian Shabbat dinner. Guests can feast on Kosher, traditional Ethiopian dishes such as Doro Wat (chicken stew), Injera (spongy pancake bread made from teff flour) and much more, as they learn about Ethiopian Jewish history and traditions from Professor Ephraim Isaac of the Institute for Semitic Studies, Princeton, NJ. We will also be joined by special guests from Israel, Kessoch/Rabbis Pirdo Imhara and Vanda Eli Mentesenout. This is definitely a Shabbat experience not to be missed! Tickets for The Ethiopian Shabbat Dinner can be purchased at: www.92Y.org/SigdShabbat .

On Saturday October 9 at 12:00 noon, the festival weekend provides a special opportunity for Ethiopian Jews and Amharic speakers based in New York to get together as a community to celebrate Shabbat in their native tongue. Interested parties should call 212-699-7206 before purchasing tickets at: www.92Y.org/SigdShabbat.

About Chassida Shmella

Chassida Shmella is a young and dynamic non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Bizu Riki Mullu and members of the Ethiopian Israeli community living in North America. Chassida Shmella's main goal is to preserve the rich 3,000 year old legacy that is unique and vital to the full history of the Jewish people. The organization took its first steps in 2004 when it saw the need to share the history and religious customs of Ethiopian Jewry with fellow Jews and non-Jews alike in North America, who did not know much about the Ethiopian Jewish culture. Chassida Shmella assists Ethiopian Jews and helps them maintain their ties to Israel, while building bridges with the various Jewish communities that make up a rich tapestry of customs. Common beliefs and goals are shared while preserving the unique Ethiopian stories and customs. In addition, Chassida Shmella assists Ethiopian Jews in North America to advance through inter-community networks, educational opportunities and communal partnerships. For more info visit http://chasmell.webs.com/aboutus.htm

About 92nd Street Y Resource Center for Jewish Diversity
The 92nd Street Y Resource Center for Jewish Diversity promotes greater awareness and inclusiveness of the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of the Jewish community in New York, and serves as a resource for other Jewish communities seeking to identify and engage diverse Jewish groups through educational and cultural programs for the broader community, leadership development training for diverse Jewish groups, and collaborations and partnerships with both established and grass roots Jewish organizations. A proudly Jewish institution since its inception in 1874, 92nd Street Y welcomes people of all ages, races, faiths and backgrounds and offers a huge range of cultural and community programs. For more information, please visit www.92Y.org.

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