Roots festival invites Jewish community to grow together
The Jewish Roots Festival is returning to South Coogee on Sunday, 30 November 2025, promising a dynamic day focused on Jewish culture, community, and sustainability.
Presented by Adamama, the Jewish educational urban farm run by Shalom Collective, the festival will take place from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. Attendees can expect music, creative workshops, food vendors, and various mindful experiences tailored for all age groups.
Families will find a dedicated Garden of Eden sensory play area for children aged 2 to 8. The kids’ activities also include Yoga at 10:45 am and the ENVIRO-Beats recycled music workshop with Junkyard Beats at 11:30 am.
Challah making at last year’s Jewish Roots Festival (Facebook)
Adults have options, including Yoga with Health By Allegra at 11:30 a.m., Kabbalah Meditation with Orna Triguboff at 12:45 p.m., and a sound bath session scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Festivalgoers are invited to join a jam session with Ayelet HaShachar or participate in various hands-on craft sessions. These workshops include making beeswax food wraps, mosaics, preserved lemons, potted herbs, or a personalised challah board from reclaimed timber.
Market stalls will offer kosher food, locally made Judaica, and crafts, alongside a swap station for pre-loved clothes, books, and Judaica items.
Hadar Matatyau, the festival programme manager, noted that the day is designed to celebrate Jewish life in an open and accessible manner. “Jewish Roots is all about celebrating who we are through music, food, learning, and nature. It’s a space for our community to connect to Jewish life through their interests in sustainability, music and art,” Matatyau said.
Adamama director Elik Rotenberg highlighted the deep connection between sustainability and Jewish practice. “At Adamama, we see sustainability as a deeply Jewish practice. This festival is a chance to experience that connection firsthand between people, the environment, and our shared heritage,” Rotenberg added.
The event aligns with Shalom Collective’s overall mission of crafting contemporary Jewish experiences that celebrate culture, strengthen identity, and build community bonds.
Tickets are available for purchase via shalomcollective.com.au/whats-on/jewish-roots-festival-2025. Prices are set at $25 for adults, $10 for children, and a family pass for $75. All passes include entry to every activity and performance throughout the day.
Not really about this but need to tell the Jewish community about the winner of the Australian Head On photography competition as this has been awarded to a photograph of Muslims praying alongside a damaged mosque in northern Gaza with the title FAITH AMIDST GENOCIDE. There is further wording below the photograph that is equally appalling. Head On is based in Sydney and photographs will be displayed in several venues including the foreshore in Bondi for several weeks.
I find this situation sad and infuriating in this time of antisemitism and even worse as the boss of Head On is Jewish but possibly dominated by extremist judges of the competition.