The Jewish Food Festival returning to Scranton on Sunday will go beyond food, with the addition of all-ages entertainment.
The festival runs through Wednesday at Nay Aug Park on Mulberry Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Eli Roitblat of Brooklyn, N.Y., delivers pickup orders for the Jewish Discovery Center’s Jewish Food Festival at Nay Aug Park in Scranton in 2023. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
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Eli Roitblat of Brooklyn, N.Y., delivers pickup orders for the Jewish Discovery Center’s Jewish Food Festival at Nay Aug Park in Scranton in 2023. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
The event draws crowds of thousands from Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond, with a tagline of “Open to all, especially those who love to eat.”
“The fest is stretching its arms, it’s growing,” said Rabbi Benny Rapoport, co-director of the Jewish Discovery Center in Clarks Summit. It is the primary fundraiser for the Chabad of the Abingtons cultural center and synagogue.
The event is taking on a buzzy new tone under new leadership from one of his sons and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Yosef and Esther Rapoport. The couple moved to the area last year. They consulted a marketing firm, added tongue-in-check merchandise and new social media to support the expanded event.
Workshops in the intricate art of challah braiding will be offered throughout the festival, creating loaves to be taken away ready to be baked. Every day of the festival will feature a kids’ inflatable climbing park, a T-shirt printing and painting station and an interactive bubble science tent.
Michael the Tight Rope Walker performs Sunday at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.
On Monday, Kids Fest will offer a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and more from 3 to 6 p.m.
A band from New York City will perform lively Jewish-infused pop music Tuesday, from 4 to 6 p.m.
A merchandise stand will sell souvenirs, with slogans like “You’re the pastrami to my rye” and “Let my people eat.”
Some snacks, such as popcorn, are new. Of course, the focus is the kosher food. Rapoport gets enthusiastic describing it. The lamb burger? ”Just thinking about it makes me swoon,” he said.
The schnitzel sandwich is “a whole explosion of textures,” and this year comes on challah instead of a hard roll, he said. The breaded chicken comes with a side of either pesto mayonnaise or spicy mayonnaise for $17.95. On Sunday there is an option to upgrade with an Israeli topping station featuring roasted eggplant, pickles, red onions, tahinia, matbucha and other condiments. Matbucha is a Moroccan spread made with cooked tomatoes and peppers. If popular, it may be carried into the rest of the festival.
The menu features New York deli style dishes, such as corned beef, brisket and knish; Middle Eastern food such as shawarma and falafel. In the words on one Instagram post: “Food that survived centuries for a reason.”
Sunday’s special is buffalo wings, Monday’s is kufta kabobs and Tuesday’s is a lamb burger.
The menu, with an online ordering feature, is at jewishfoodfest.com. http://jewishfoodfest.com
The cooking and catering is overseen by Chany Rapoport, co-director of the Center and the rabbi’s wife.
With expanded promotion and new features, they hope to grow attendance from around 6,000 to 7,000 to 10,000 to 12,000.Information is on social media and jewishfoodfest.com.
What: Jewish Food FestivalWhen: Sunday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.Where: Nay Aug Park, Mulberry Street, Scranton.Details: The kosher food festival has expanded to add entertainment. It’s a rain or shine event, with covered seating in a shady setting. Online ordering and more information at: jewishfoodfest.com.http://jewishfoodfest.com
Originally Published: June 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM EDT