Ellie Festival

Congregation Beth Israel of Media has established a permanent fund to honor the memory and short life of Eliana Andersen, daughter of Kathy Silberman Andersen and Dan Andersen, sister of Molly. Ellie, a beloved fifth grader in our Hebrew School, died on July 25, 2003 after a courageous battle with a brain tumor.

Ellie loved school, her friends and family, and celebrations of all kinds. The Eliana Andersen Fund supports an annual children’s festival in her memory. By combining Ellie’s loves in a festival of the arts, we give our children a joyous event to look forward to each year, as well as reflect the Jewish tradition of “hiddur mitzvah,” enhancing community by creating beauty and art. A festival for our Hebrew School that bears Ellie’s name will continue to be a reality with your kind donation. To learn more about previous Ellie Festivals, click here.

The 20th annual Eliana Andersen Arts & Creativity Festival was held Sunday, April 21, 2024. All were warmly invited to attend. Our visiting artists were the Bible Players, a Torah comedy team teaching Jewish values, presenting “Motzi the Matzah” in the sanctuary. Ohev Shalom’s Hebrew school joined us, supported by a grant from the Kehillah of Delaware County.

The morning began with prayers in the sanctuary at 9:30 a.m. and included Creation Stations and schmoozing at Ellie’s Café.