Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on February 13, 2014

By Donna Iadipaolo For A2 Journal

Last month was its largest turnout yet, with about 500 people attending and more than 20 cultures represented. The event offered food and craft activities for children and the general public to enjoy.

Over 20 families participated in the Heritage Festival, making this our biggest year yet, said Jennifer Sauld, the parent organizer of the event and mother of Erika, a third-grader at Haisley. The event continues to gain in awareness and importance amongst the Haisley community. Countries/cultures/families represented included Columbia, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, England, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Algeria, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Italy, India, Norway, Native American, Jewish, Japan, and Korea.

People are already talking about how they can contribute next year.

Sauld collaborated with many parents, who dedicated their own time and money for the food and activities, and also worked with second-grade Haisley teacher Alicia Murrell and third-grade teacher Ellen McGee.

The children really enjoy learning about the different cultures represented in our community, Sauld said. The children are engaged in the different activities and trying foods from the various countries. It makes learning about all of the different cultures fun.

I like to think of it as our passport to the world. Its become an event not to miss. ... I believe this event is extremely important as it brings everyone together to celebrate the diversity of our community in a fun-filled evening of food and activities.

German goodness

Julia Miersch and others offered everyone traditional German dishes at Heritage Night.

We are Germans who are living in Michigan for a couple of years, said Miersch. My son, Yannis, is a second-grader at Haisley. He has been part of the Haisley Community ever since kindergarten. Yannis, his sister Awa, and another German family we are friends with, hosted a table of German foods. Continued...

More here:
ANN ARBOR: Cultures coalesce at Haisley Heritage Festival

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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