Past Jewtica Headliners

Elena is an expert accordionist and teacher bringing a unique sound to Jewtica.

Micah Siva RD is a registered dietitian, trained chef, and passionate food storyteller whose work has reached over 30 million viewers worldwide. Growing up Jewish in Canada, Micah developed a deep appreciation for food as a source of connection, tradition, and joy. After earning credentials as a dietitian, she honed her culinary skills at the Natural Gourmet Institute of ICE in New York City, where she discovered the power of food to tell meaningful stories. Today, through recipe development, food photography, and content creation, Micah crafts dishes that are as nourishing as they are beautiful.

Boichik is a Syracuse, New York, Jewish rock band featuring Cantor Kari Eglash of Temple Concord, Joe Eglash (director of the largest publisher of Jewish music in the world, Transcontinental Music), and local drumming veteran John Martin. Boichik jams on contemporary and familiar Jewish and Israeli rock music—some might consider them equal parts Allman Brothers, Carlebach, and the Grateful Dead—using familiar and popular tunes. Harmonies and anthemic grooves abound, with kishkes!

NYC based ISLE of KLEZBOS sextet approaches Yiddish musical traditions with loving irreverence and profound respect. The soulful, fun-loving powerhouse all women's klezmer sextet has toured from Vienna to Vancouver since 1998.

Beejhy Barhany is an entrepreneur and activist who was born in Ethiopia, raised in Israel, and currently resides in New York. She is the founder of Beta Israel of North America (BINA) Cultural Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and advocating for Ethiopian Jews in North America. Today, she is the chef and owner of an eclectic kosher Ethiopian restaurant in Harlem, New York, Tsion Café, that incorporates cuisine from the many places that have influenced her journey.

Jeffrey Yoskowitz is a food entrepreneur, a pioneer in the Jewish food revival, and a thought leader in the world of food and culture. As founder of the Gefilteria, he has transformed the perception of Eastern European Jewish foods and inspired tens of thousands to embrace their heritage in new ways.

Sandcatchers, a New York City-based band, fuse Middle Eastern music, jazz, surf rock, and Americana into a unique sound. Known for their captivating live performances, they blend traditional Middle Eastern instruments like the oud with jazz improvisation and rock rhythms. The band's eclectic style and engaging shows have earned them critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base, and they have performed at venues nation-wide.

Leah Koenig is the author of seven cookbooks including the acclaimed The Jewish Cookbook and Modern Jewish Cooking. Her newest cookbook, PORTICO: Cooking and Feasting in Rome's Jewish Kitchen was a National Jewish Book Awards finalist.

Paul Shapiro’s Ribs & Brisket has been delighting audiences since the release of Essen, on Tzadik Records. Featuring the smooth and bluesy vocalist Cilla Owens and Shapiro’s soulful tenor sax they have reveled in the music of the 1930’s onward, intertwining jazz, swing and Yiddish, celebrating where the Borscht Belt intersected 52nd Street.