Seven summers ago, about 100 people gathered in a St. Charles park for a community barbecue.

It had no official name. There was no sprawling marketplace, no live music, no kosher food vendors and no thousands of visitors celebrating Jewish life.

But looking back, Rabbi Chaim Landa says that afternoon planted the seed for something much bigger.

Today, that seed has grown into an event that attracts more than 4,000 people and has become one of the region’s largest celebrations of Jewish life.

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That event—the sixth annual St. Charles Jewish Festival—returns Sunday, Aug. 9, to the Lewis & Clark Boat House parking lot for an afternoon of music, food, culture and community.

The festival is hosted by Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Landa, co-directors of the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County, along with the Gan St. Charles Preschool, in partnership with the city of St. Charles.

The backstory

A year after the barbecue, Landa met with St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer with an idea: create a public celebration of Jewish life in the heart of St. Charles.

“When he finally said, ‘Yes, let’s do it,’ I immediately got a pit in my stomach,” Landa recalled. “I knew it was going to be successful. I also knew it was going to be a tremendous amount of work.”

The first St. Charles Jewish Festival drew nearly 1,000 people in 2021. Attendance has increased every year since.

Last year’s festival drew more than 4,000 people and organizers expect another record crowd this year.

What began as a small neighborhood gathering has quietly become one of the largest annual celebrations of Jewish life in the St. Louis region.

Growing from the inside, out

Bruce Waxman has watched that growth firsthand. Waxman, who lives outside St. Charles County, attended the first festival and has returned with his family ever since.

“Seeing the community come together to celebrate Jewish life in such a public and joyful way was both inspiring and memorable,” he said.

He believes the festival has become much more than a neighborhood event.

“It offers a wide variety of activities and programs that bring together Jewish families from both the St. Charles and St. Louis communities,” Waxman said. “The festival features delicious food, lively music and entertainment for people of all ages, creating a truly festive Jewish experience filled with warmth, kindness and a strong sense of community.”

That spirit is reflected in this year’s theme, “L’Chaim, St. Charles!”

L’Chaim, Hebrew for “to life,” is one of Judaism’s most joyful expressions, celebrating life, gratitude and community. Organizers say the theme is an invitation for people of every background to experience the richness, warmth and joy of Jewish life.

What’s new this year

Bassy Landa said she’s especially excited about the marketplace’s expanded lineup.

“We’ve added so many new artisans and interactive experiences, including live glass blowing demonstrations. It’s been expanded and elevated in every way and I think people are really going to love it.”

One of the biggest additions this year is an expanded Shuk Marketplace inspired by the bustling open-air markets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Visitors can browse artisan vendors, Judaica, Israeli-inspired products, handcrafted gifts, baked goods, spices, jewelry and specialty foods while experiencing one of the festival’s most popular attractions.

Organizers also expect the festival’s largest civic presence to date, with the St. Charles county executive, mayors from communities across the county and numerous local and state elected officials expected to attend the opening celebration.

Music and entertainment

Continuous live entertainment will fill the festival throughout the afternoon, featuring Jewish music and performances designed to keep the celebration going from opening to closing.

The festival also includes cultural demonstrations, interactive experiences and activities designed for visitors of all ages.

Kosher food

Festivalgoers can enjoy a wide variety of kosher food available for purchase throughout the afternoon.

The menu features Israeli favorites and traditional Jewish cuisine, giving visitors an opportunity to sample flavors from around the Jewish world.

Family fun

Families will find plenty to keep children busy, including inflatables, cultural crafts, hands-on activities and interactive entertainment throughout the festival.

The goal, organizers say, is to create experiences that engage children while introducing them to Jewish culture in fun and memorable ways.

Know before you go

What: Sixth Annual St. Charles Jewish Festival
When: Sunday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Lewis & Clark Boat House Parking Lot, 1050 S. Riverside Drive, St. Charles
Admission: Free
Tickets: Advance registration is encouraged.

Parking: Free parking is available at the Boat House parking lot.
Food: Kosher food will be available for purchase throughout the festival.
More information: Visit JewishStCharles.org/Festival.