“Anyone here from… NEW YORK CITY? Wooooo!” Featured main stage speakers included former Blossom star and current cast member of the nerdlicious Big Bang Theory Mayim Bialik who discussed the role of Judaism in her life. Local pols included Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and the hilarious Congresswoman Shelley Berkley whose speech was a thinly veiled attempt to pimp out her Jewish, single grandson. Congressman Joe Heck pulled out his standard issue “We Love Israel” speech and delivered it as if he was at an AIPAC conference. It seemed a little out of place at the time, but I live in Israel so, you know, I kind of appreciated the sentiment. Of course we also sand the US, Israeli and Canadian (!!) national anthems. I was touched as I hadn’t sung “Oh Canada” in years!

Other main stage speaker highlights included our good friend and Jewlicious Fest alum, boxer Yuri Foreman, NFL team owners Mark Wilf (Minnesota Vikings) and Jonathan Kraft (New England Patriots), Security consultant and former Israeli commando Aaron Cohen (who thankfully didn’t recognize me despite the fact that I panned his book on Jewlicious) and Alina Geriovin Spaulding, director of communications for the American Hebrew Academy, who came to America from the Ukraine and gave an impassioned and touching speech where she stated “Everything I have and everything I have ever contributed to another human being is because of people like you standing up for me at a particular moment in time…”

Alina’s speech may have, more than anyone else’s, best encompassed what, at it’s very core, the Federation system is meant to be about. Once you got past all the glitz and artifice of Las Vegas, the Federation system is about raising money for charity, to help those less fortunate locally, nationally and in Israel. Young Jews congregated in Las Vegas to network, party, hook up etc. but they were also meant to be part of a process that builds our community and ensures its continuity and its continued vitality and viability.

Stay tuned for the next part of this write up: TribeFest: I’m a little bit Rock and Roll

Now many of you already know what this is all about. However, many more of you are asking “What is JayEffenAy? Why are you going to yet another apparently Jewy Festival so soon after Jewlicious?” Whatever. Chill out, relax and enjoy. I have to hop on that plane (and pack actually). More posts will follow. Heh…

Dateline Las Vegas – 12:28 pm: Rabbi Yonah and I just picked up Tess from the Las Vegas airport. We got super lucky and got a room and now we’re just waiting for the crew from Heeb. They’re late. I was hoping to insert a photo of all of us together but the giant imitation Pyramid outside my room will have to do. I wonder if they’re planning on an imitation Tahrir Square here any time soon? The lobby of the Mandalay Bay Hotel is wall-to-wall Jews. My head may verily explode from all the Festive Jewyness I’ve been exposed to already! We met Esther Kustanowitz at the airport. She took a picture of us. Later at the Hotel we were identified by two random strangers in the elevator who had already seen our photo on Facebook. Yikes!

[Facebook Event]

FRIDAY NOV 21: SHABBOS WITH MATISYAHU!
Come join one of the most famous American Jewish musicians for a FREE SHABBAT DINNER.
Join us for a brief, private service at 6pm, followed by dinner at 6:30.

LOCATION: Chabad at 1261 S Arville St, Las Vegas 89102

SAT NOV 22: MATISYAHU IN CONCERT!
Shavua Tov! Shabbat’s over and it’s time to celebrate the new week by seeing Matisyahu in Concert! Hillel will be subsidizing tickets, but the amount will be dependent upon student interest.

House of Blues – Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd South
Doors open at 6pm. on Sat. Night. Nov 22

So here’s the formula: Singer/songwriter and great entertainer Michelle Citrin. Awesomely fun Israeli Funk/Hip Hop band Coolooloosh. Israel’s Rap Machine Subliminal and the TACT Family. All three performing to an enthusiastic crowd as part of the Taglit-birthright israel Israelity Tour at Club Tao at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for one fun filled night on Sunday February 17th, which happens to be Presidents Day Weekend. Sounds pretty awesome right? Like what could be better?

How about discounted Hotel Rooms at Las Vegas’ hottest hotel, the Venetian? The Venetian has made a limited number of rooms available to Isreality Tour participants who want to make a weekend out of it. It’s the perfect excuse for a road trip! Driving through the Nevada Desert, headed to one of the country’s most exciting cities for an awesome show – and lord knows what kind of adventures and shenanigans you and your friends will get up to!

So how do you get your hands on these sweet $169 a night rooms? Well first buy your tickets to the Vegas show online at the Taglit-birthright israel Isreality Tour Web site. They’re $15 in advance and $20 at the door *. Then call 877-283-6423 and tell the operator you want the Birthright Israel Foundation’s rate for a regular room for $169 February 16 and/or 17. This spectacular deal is limited to the first 40 rooms each night. And yes, I have already booked my room, ha ha!

Let me know if you’re going. We’ll party. And remember Esther, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. No embarassing blog posts on the Israelity Blog ok? OK??

*Addendum! TICKETS ARE FREE! Go to http://israelity.birthrightisrael.com and RSVP for the concert of your choice (LA, San Diego or Vegas). Then mail the email confirmation you receive to alumni@birthrightisrael.com. Please include your name and the number of guests you’re bringing (max. 2!)