Israeli music, the sound of pounding drums, and the smell of Mediterranean food lingered in the air as crowds mingled among white tents at the west steps of the Capitol yesterday afternoon. More than 3,000 people participated in Sacramento’s first Jewish Heritage festival yesterday despite the unpredictable weather, according to the Sacramento Jewish Federation. The festival, presented by the federation, began with a “Salute to Israel @ 61 Walk-a-thon,” consisting of a “walk for unity” around the Capitol. The walk was followed by an opening ceremony emceed by Bill Slaton, member of the SMUD Board of Directors, and Sacramento’s KCRA Channel 3 Anchor Edie Lambert. Both the celebration of

Sacramento's Jewish Federation will be holding Sacramento's first Jewish Heritage Festival on the west steps of the capitol this Sunday. The festival is open to the public, and admission is free. It commemorates National Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating the 61st anniversary of Israel's independence this year, and the centennial anniversary of the first Hebrew city, Tel Aviv. For the past two years, the federation has celebrated Israel's independence at the capitol. Encouraged by the turnout of more than 3,000 people at the capitol last year celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary, the federation decided to present the festival to Sacramento this year. In April, Senate Pro-Tem D