Building on its successful debut last year, the world’s biggest celebration of the Hebrew language returns for another run in the New York metro area March 6 with a whole new two-week slate of programs and experiences for scholars, students, culture vultures, and families.

The Hagigah Ivrit (“Hebrew festival”) will feature more than 40 events on a broad range of topics in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Long Island and New Jersey, including literary, culinary, musical, cinematic, and educational events, as well as several ongoing exhibitions and special programs. Target audiences range from seniors to young children and their families and everyone in between with special events targeted toward teachers and others designed to take place in schools with their students. All offerings will engage their audience in the beauty and history of the Hebrew language and culture.

The opening event of this year’s festival honors the legendary Israeli writer, playwright, and Oscar-nominated movie director Ephraim Kishon (1924-2005) in commemoration of ten years since his passing. Another featured event will be the second annual Hebrew Song Celebration will bring together children’s choirs from nine local schools to perform Hebrew-language songs celebrating the early years of Israel’s history. Throughout the Hagigah, attendees will find IAC community building events like Shishi Israeli across the boroughs of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.

For organizations that would like to participate – such as JCC’s, schools, synagogues, and youth groups – the Hagigah website presents a list of resources that can help you organize your own event including a list of Kishon resources, New York based Israeli artists and a facilitators guide to eight classic Israeli movies along with a link to a site that streams most of them.

The Hagigah Ivrit, which runs through March 20, is an initiative of The Council for Hebrew Language and Culture in North America and is co-sponsored by the World Zionist Organization, The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, and the Israeli-American Council. The festival is also supported by strategic partners such as The Jewish Education Project, Ravsak and the Schechter Day School Network.

For a full listing of the program schedule and more background on the festival, visit: www.ivritny.org or the Hagigah Ivrit page on Facebook.

Participating Organizations as of 3-2-2016
(more events being added daily)

1. Abraham Joshua Heschel High School
2. Bereisheet Educators Forum
3. Beit Rabban Day School
4. B’nai Jeshurun
5. Carmel Academy
6. Chofshi B’Manhattan at SWFS
7. Congegation Beth Aharon
8. Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
9. Congregation Mount Sinai 
10. The Council for Hebrew Language and Culture in North America
11. The Frisch School
12. Hannah Senesh Community Day School
13. Harlem Hebrew Language Academy
14. Hashomer Hatzair
15. Hebrew Language Academy Charter School
16. IAC Dor Chadash
17. Israeli-American Council (IAC)
18. Israel Film Center Stream
19. Israel Scouts – Tzofim
20. JCC Manhattan
21. Jewish A Cappella Festival
22. Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy
23. Kinneret Day School
24. Luria Academy of Brooklyn
25. Mid-Island Y JCC
26. Mitchabrim in Brooklyn
27. Moatza Mekomit New York
28. Music Talks
29. OneTable
30. Ramaz
31. The Riverdale YM-YWHA
32. Sifriyat Pijama B’America (SP-BA)
33. Solomon Schechter Day School of Manhattan
34. Sprout Brooklyn Day Camp
35. Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
36. Strategic Hebrew
37. The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life
38. Ulpan Or
39. Yeladudes Theater
40. Yeshiva of Flatbush
41. Yeshiva University Museum
42. The World Zionist Organization
43. 92Y