In August 2025, SummerFest brought Greenville together to celebrate the heart and soul of Yiddish culture. From music to film to food, each event offered a fresh lens on centuries-old traditions — sparking conversation, joy, and connection.
The festival began with an unforgettable evening of cultural connection. The klezmer-bluegrass fusion of Zoe & Cloyd filled the museum with soul-stirring sounds, followed by a screening of Days Between Rest, a moving short documentary highlighting Jewish life in Uganda and the resilience of Grammy-nominated singer Rachel Namadosi. Guests then enjoyed a warm reception upstairs with cultural desserts and mocktails.
At Camelot Cinemas, audiences experienced the South Carolina premiere of Welcome to Yiddishland. This witty, energetic documentary explores the global revival of the Yiddish language — from Yiddish theater in Melbourne, to punk-Klezmer bands, to Berlin’s bold productions. The film showcased how Yiddish continues to cross borders, inspire creativity, and foster identity and belonging.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to Project Host, whose culinary team delighted guests with their cultural desserts and mocktails. Beyond their delicious food, Project Host’s mission of using the culinary arts to fight food insecurity and provide job training reflects the very values of resilience and community that SummerFest celebrates.
We are deeply grateful to the Sigal Music Museum for opening their doors and providing such a stunning setting for our opening night. Their historic collection of instruments and warm hospitality created the perfect backdrop for a night of music, culture, and community.
Through storytelling, music, cuisine, comedy, and history, our films invite audiences to experience culture, spark conversation, and discover the ties that bind us all—respect, love, and humanity.
By showcasing meaningful, thought-provoking works, we aim to strengthen Greenville’s cultural fabric, promote diversity, and elevate our city as a vibrant place to live, gather, and grow.
Founded in 2018, GJFF began with a vision: to bring people together through the universal language of film. Today, that vision lives on in every event we create — including SummerFest.
Jackie Bechek
Nan Birnbaum
Faith Davis
Nancy Fitzer
Sandra Foy
Dr. Steve Gold & Susan Farber
Patrice Goldberg
Irwin Goldberg
Dale & Ellen Goldman
Rich & Pia Gordon
Roger Hiller
Sara Hoffman
Marlene Hutcher
Stuart & Gloria Jones
Pam & Jay Kaplan
Debbie & Joe Kasle
Thomas & Sandra Kester
Lynda Kimak
Jeremy Kröber
Arthur Lebowitz
Sybil Levine
Pamela & Gerald Levy
Michelle Liggett
Jay London
J Monday
Jimi Moore
Mary Ellen Muldoon
Peggy Nielson
Lynn Rahn
Michael Runkle
Barbara Siegel
Andrew Skinner
John & Susan Stewart
Carol Weinstock
Dr. Richard & Berry Zander
