del-ish-us Mimouna is back! 

Experience a joy-filled evening of Indian-American, Jewish arts & culture, benefiting ish. 

What's(the) ish?

ish is a Cincinnati-based, arts and cultural non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness. Through arts events, creative experiences, and Jewish cultural traditions, ish creates intentional spaces for connection and acceptance, promotes new learning, brings people together across cultural divides, inspires pride in identity and self-expression, to improve individual and communal well-being.

Since our inaugural ish Festival in 2017, our offerings have ranged from large-scale entertaining events (ish Festival, del-ish-us Mimouna, Rainbow Shabbat, 2022 & 2024 BLINK Parades) to more intimate, transformative community-building initiatives (Holidays-in-a-Box, Emerging Artist Fellowship, T3 Teen Think Tank, Artist-in-Residence, Birds of a Feather (a fiscally-sponsored project), Jew of Color Sanctuary (a fiscally-sponsored project), and more). As we step into this next chapter of our work, we will continue to be guided by our four foundational core values to: get 'Chutzpah' (advocate for ourselves and others), practice 'Radical Hospitality' (treat every person as an honored guest), be 'Curi-ish' (embrace curiosity over judgement), and think 'Yes, And' (imagine possibilities, make space for others' truths). 

Holi del-ish-us Mimouna (what the ? and how do I pronounce that word)?

Mimouna (MI-MOO-NAH) is a cross-cultural Moroccan-born holiday, celebrated across North Africa, the Middle East, and throughout the Mediterranean. Mimouna marks the beginning of spring and the end of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which is traditionally celebrated by not eating leavened foods/bread, participating in ritual 'Passover Seder' dinners, and retelling the story of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt, a journey from slavery to freedom. Traditionally, Muslim and Jewish neighbors come together for an evening celebration of life, luck, and luxury, exchanging sweet leavened breads and baked goods, music and dancing, as well as blessings for fortune, prosperity and abundance for the year to come (all in favor?!).

Since 2022, ish has embraced this culturally rich holiday of Mimouna as an opportunity to celebrate and elevate the intersection of ethnic-minorities and Jewish cultures. This year, we are thrilled to partner with our friends and Indian-community neighbors from across greater Cincinnati to present Holi del-ish-us Mimouna! 

Holi (Hoh-lee) is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the "Festival of Colors". A celebration of Love, Equality and Spring, Holi is traditionally celebrated with vibrant festivities, including bonfires, singing, dancing, and playfully throwing colored powders and water at each other, marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. If you've been to an ish event before you know that we always bring the color.... 

We are playfully calling this year's cross-cultural event, Holi del-ish-us Mimouna, and while attendees should expect great, food, music, dancing, artwork, and other creative experiences, we are called ish for a reason....this event will not be a traditional "by the book" celebration of Holi or Mimouna. We encourage you to come with an open mind, and empty tummy, and a fluid spirit ready to meet someone new or try something different!

We are honored to welcome Guest Artists-in-Residence: Acclaimed Artist & Curator, Siona Benjamin, and Michelin Award-Winning Chef, Rachel Sophia Kruge.

Admission & Ticket Prices (who is this for, what do I get, and how much is it gonna cost me?)

ish values inclusive, accessible, intergenerational arts/cultural experiences, and is proud to offer accommodations*, affordable ticket prices, and options to bring THE WHOLE FAMILY! Ticket Admission to this beloved FUNdraiser includes access to a variety of unique Indian-American, Jewish cultural-fusion foods, music & dance performances, artist marketplace, healing and metaphysical arts, hands-on artmaking, and more. ish believes in the importance of supporting small, minority-owned businesses, and paying artists fair wages for their work. Your ticket price helps covers these costs all the while supporting a great cause- it's really a win-win-win if you ask us! (and no, you don't need to be Jewish or Indian to attend....:D).

Admission prices are varied, and we encourage those who are able to "pay it forward" and host another guest/couple/family to join you! Want to promote your business or impress your clients? Consider our Event Host package (admission for up to 8 adults, and up to 16 children - yes, we really mean that... :D). 

Have a scheduling conflict? Please consider a "gift a ticket" donation for those who would otherwise attend if able. Your donation will provide a remarkable arts/cultural experience for someone who may not be able to support their own fare.

*If you'd like to attend and need assistance, we want to make sure you can join us. Please reach out to inquire about physical, financial, or other accommodations. We will do our absolute best to assist you. Drop us a line at Shalom@ishFestival.org.

General Admission: $85

Admission + Donation: $125 (tax deductible + you get an art gift!)

Family Package: $250 (2 adults & up to 4 kids; $25 per additional child)

Family Host: $1,000 (tax deductible; Bring another Family as your Guests! -admit up to 4 adults; up to 8 kids)

Event Host: $2,500 (tax deductible; Promote your Business, impress your Guests- admit up to 8 adults; up to 16 kids)

All ticket levels may be purchased/donated as "gift a ticket" options. Please note in Comment Details.

Your support matters. ish cannot exist without you and the support of our ongoing volunteers, champions, and donors. Special thank you to the Ohio Arts Council for making this year's event possible.

Holi del-ish-us Mimouna, a benefit for ish

Saturday, May 3rd 6pm - 10pm

13K Event Venue at Kenwood Theatre

Reclaim your Chutzpah. Experience Radical Hospitality. Embrace Curiosity. Imagine Possibilities.

Everyone's a little bit ish....won't you join us?