Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum (KKJ), the only Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, proudly hosted the 10th Annual Greek Jewish Festival in New York City, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Greece’s Jewish community.
The vibrant event featured an array of authentic experiences—from kosher Greek cuisine and homemade pastries to traditional dance performances, live Greek and Sephardic music, and a bustling outdoor marketplace. Families enjoyed hands-on arts and educational activities for kids, Sephardic cooking demos, and an atmosphere filled with warmth, music, and community.
Performers lighting up the stage included the Elias Ladino Ensemble, Noga Group featuring Avram Pengas, Orelia Dance Performance, Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, Baklava Express, and Ta Pedia Tis Polis, drawing enthusiastic crowds throughout the day.
KKJ shared a heartfelt message after the event:
“Thank you to everyone who came to our 10th Annual Greek Jewish Festival! It was such an incredible day—with amazing musical performances, nonstop dancing, delicious food, kids’ activities, community partners, and so much more. Our festival is a communal and family reunion, and it means so much to share this celebration with our families, friends, neighbors, and the greater Greek and Jewish communities. We were also honored to welcome the Consuls General of Israel and Greece! Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who made the festival possible and so special.”
On Tuesday, May 27 at 7:30 PM, KKJ will host its monthly Torah & Taverna Night—an evening of Jewish learning, live music, and delicious Greek food. This month features Rabbi Joey Faur of Congregation Magen David of Manhattan, who will deliver a special Shavuot class exploring the Jewish people’s eternal covenant with Hashem. The night will conclude with music from Sounds of Cyprus, bringing ancient rhythms to life.
Founded in 1906 by Romaniote Jews from Ioannina, Greece, KKJ has been a spiritual and cultural home for over a century. Located at 280 Broome Street in the heart of Manhattan’s historic Lower East Side, the synagogue opened its doors in 1927 and remains one of the few active Jewish congregations in the neighborhood.
Romaniote Jews are among the oldest Jewish communities in the world, tracing their roots in Greece back more than 2,300 years to the time of Alexander the Great. Distinct from Sephardic Jews, who arrived in Greece after the 1492 expulsion from Spain, the Romaniotes have preserved unique customs, liturgy, and language.
In 1997, KKJ opened a museum in its women’s gallery to showcase the history of Greek Jewry, especially the Romaniote experience, both in Greece and on the Lower East Side. Today, the KKJ Museum is open to the public every Sunday and by appointment, offering a deep dive into the traditions, struggles, and stories of this resilient and often-overlooked Jewish community. The museum also hosts a range of educational programs, including lectures, film screenings, concerts, and book signings.
As a New York City landmark, KKJ continues to celebrate Jewish life through weekly Shabbat services, holiday observances, and vibrant cultural programming—ensuring that the legacy of Greek Jews endures for future generations.
Related: The Fascinating History of Romaniote Jews in Greece’s Ioannina
