More than 4,000 people gathered on Sunday, Aug. 10, to enjoy a celebration of Jewish culture. The St. Charles Jewish Festival offered music, food and opportunities to learn about Judaism. The festival is now in its fifth year and grows in attendance. It was held at the Lewis & Clark Boat House parking lot in historic downtown St. Charles.
St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano was one of several St. Charles County elected officials present to help cut the ribbon to open the festival. Pagano is not Jewish, but he is learning the Hebrew alphabet and reading “Rebbe,” the biography and teachings of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson.
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Missouri state Rep. Wendy Hausman, R-St. Charles, also was on hand to offer introductory remarks.
“I want to say congratulations on five years of helping St. Charles County to learn more about your culture and how diverse we are,” Hausman said. “It’s been a pleasure traveling the state and the country and talking more about Jewish issues and things that affect us. I’m grateful and proud to say that I’m a part of a great community.”
