Jewish Culture Festival Association in Krakow (Stowarzyszenie Festiwal Kultury Zydowskiej) , established in 1988, is the largest presentation of contemporary Jewish culture from Israel and the entire Diaspora, held in Kazimierz - Jewish quarter of the city. From small local event, the festival has grown into the largest and most famous presentation of contemporary Jewish Culture from Israel and the entire Diaspora. Every year more than 30,000 people from all over the globe are coming to Kazimierz to experience more than 100 various artistic and educational events, that include: concerts, DJ-parties, performances, lectures, discussions, visual art events, guided tours, workshops, special programs for kids and for the senior citizens. The key event of each edition of the festival, a symbol or trade mark of our festival is 7-hours long, open-air concert under the title Shalom on Szeroka Street. Recorded and broadcast by Polish Television it has been one the most popular concert in Poland, that attracts some 15,000 people in the audience. The mission of the festival is to reintroduce Jewish culture to Poland - once home for flourishing Jewish population. On one hand, we educate non-Jews and fight with prejudice, ignorance and any forms of anti-Semitism and hatred towards Jews by giving them a unique authentic 'Jewish experience'; on the other hand - we support growing Jewish community of Poland in finding and developing new Jewish identity and keep them in touch with Israel and the Jewish Diaspora worldwide. As the first NGO in Poland, we launched an all year round program for volunteers called The Machers. Our volunteers not only help us in organization of the festival, but we also help them to get knowledge in many other fields (incl. cultural management, fundraising, etc.), offering them many workshops, lectures, study tours and other events. Since 2013 we have worked with volunteers from abroad and from 2017 - with senior volunteers. Every year we work with a group of 60 - 80 volunteers.
Poland