AJ Arts & Entertainment

Joan Matsui Special to the Abington Journal

When Rika Schaffer visited her native country of Israel this summer, she wasn’t just there for a visit and a vacation. As organizer of the Israeli tent at the upcoming Kids Around The World multicultural kids’ festival, Schaffer was there on a mission: to buy supplies for her tent.

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Above, Rika Schaffer purchasing Bazooka Bubble Gum in Jerusalem.

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At right, Schaffer buying Star of David shapes and stencils during a trip to Israel.

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The event will be held on the grounds of Scranton High School on Sunday, September 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Mary Ann LaPorta, Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center/NEPA and Dave Kuharchik, WBRE meteorologist are emcees for the event.

Kids Around The World is a fundraiser for Timmy’s Town Center, a hands on children’s museum that has been in the works for several years in memory of Timmy Kelly who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away at age five.

Along with her friends and colleagues, Schaffer will introduce children to a traditional icon and a generally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism: The Star of David, which is named after King David of ancient Israel and geometrically is the hexagram.

Schaffer purchased the Star of David shapes that she and the children will use to make magnets as well as stencils of other equally significant Israeli symbols that the kids are going to trace with paint.

Schaffer, the Early Childhood Director of the Jewish Community Center in Scranton made it a point to stop at Chavakuk, a teacher’s supply store located in “Mea Shearim”, the orthodox section in Jerusalem. “This store is located in a basement of a building that has many rooms filled with anything a teacher may need. I always go there in the summer to stock up. They have a variety of unique teaching tools and items,” said Schaffer .

Israel is one of 16 countries to participate in the upcoming festival. The other countries include The Dominican Republic, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, Kenya, India, France, U.S.A., Australia, Ireland, Germany, China, Japan, and Italy.

Each country will have an art, music and/or language activity indigenous to that country. A stop at each country will earn a stamp the child’s passport, and with a filled passport a free admission to Timmy’s Town Center scheduled to open at the Steamtown Mall in October.

Joanne Arduino, Artistic Director of The Ballet Theatre of Scranton has spent the last months recruiting local dance instructors for the event. The line up includes the Tarantella taught by Arduino; Vince Brust Dance Studio, Latin; Dipti Pancholy, Indian; Nancy Pinto, Irish Step and Maura Malloy, African. Kids’ and Adult yoga, and demonstrations in Tai Chi and Aikido are also part of the schedule.Local restaurants including Caravia, Katana Japanese Restaurant, Fratelli’s and Greystone Garden’s Caf� are preparing to sell their ethnic specialties at the event. If you are interested in craft demonstrations, you’ll find Gene Moyer, wood carving; Ken Mead, a regional Fly Tying aficionado and Emily Rancier, spinning.

Tickets for the event are $5 if purchased in advanced, $7 at the door on the day of the event and children under two are free. Tickets are available at the customer service desk at The Steamtown Mall, most locations of the Lackawanna County Library System, the Bethany Library, Wayne County Library, the Tunkhannock Public Library, and Gymboree of Clarks Summit. For information call, 570.586-5057 or email jmmatsu@epix.net or 570.954.6650 or visit timmystowncenter.org.