Way beyond Bagels: Southern CT Jewish Food Festival June 11

WAY BEYOND BAGELS
Sustainability Meets Tradition at the Inaugural Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival June 11

Cooking demonstrations, food tastings, discussions about Judaism and food, workshops on sustainability, do-it-yourself pickling, guidance on starting home composting, and a crazy upside-down double-decker bus.

All that and much more will be on offer at the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy’s inaugural Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival on Sunday, June 11 from 11 AM to 4 PM at Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road, Westport.

“Bringing a Jewish food festival to Upper Fairfield County has long been a dream of mine,” says Westport resident Elise Meyer, festival chair, avid organic gardener, and kosher-food blogger. “For me, Jewish food is about so much more than pastrami and gefilte fish. Jewish food is about our Jewish values when it comes to sharing our resources with those less fortunate and treating the earth in a way that is mindful and sustainable. I feel incredibly fortunate not only to be leading this festival but to be working with a talented volunteer committee that shares those values. Today more than ever, we have to learn how to take definite steps to secure a future of pure, nutritious food for us, our kids, and the world.”

The idea of a Jewish food festival in Fairfield County was the brainchild of the Federation's new executive director, David Weisberg, who came to the community after a stint as CEO of Hazon, the largest food- and sustainability-focused Jewish non-profit in North America.

“The secret sauce of the festival model is that bringing together Jewish food and Jewish values related to food and sustainability provides an opportunity to engage the entire community together in ways that other programming cannot,” says Weisberg. “While many of us have different ways of observing Judaism, we can all connect with matzo-ball soup and a good kosher pickle.”

The innovative community festival will feature a diverse array of activities, including workshops on topics from food justice and sustainable food practices to global Jewish culinary traditions, as well as a keynote lecture on “new wave Jewish cuisine,” an exhibit hall of vendors and organizations engaged in Jewish food and sustainability, and, of course, delicious Jewish food. An extensive Jewish food book exhibition and sale will provide an opportunity to meet local cookbook authors and bring home ideas and inspiration.

Kids will enjoy the Teva Topsy Turvy Bus, a mishmash of two school buses, each with their tops cut off and stacked together to create an innovative mobile environmental lab. Powered by used vegetable oil, the bus features a crew of charismatic Teva educators who enthusiastically lead children in fun educational activities.

Festival keynote speaker Jeffrey Yoskowitz is co-founder of The Gefilteria food venture launched in 2012 with the mission of reimagining eastern European Jewish cuisine, adapting classic dishes to the values and tastes of a new generation. Yoskowitz has written about all facets of Jewish food for national publications and is co-author of The Gefilte Manifesto: New Recipes for Old World Jewish Foods.

“Our intent is to offer a day that is fun and informative for everyone from young children to senior adults, from singles to families,” says Stacy Kamisar, Federation program director. “While some may attend with specific interest in a lecture or workshop, others may simply enjoy learning how to pickle, tasting a wonderful new food, or bringing their kids to participate in an amazing children’s program.”

Tickets will be available at the event, but early registration will guarantee seating for what are certain to be crowded break-out sessions.

Federation for Jewish Philanthropy’s inaugural Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival: Sunday, June 11, 11 AM-4 PM, Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road, Westport | Registration required: jewishphilanthropyct.org/food-festival-2017 / (203) 226-8197

About the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County:

Encompassing the 14 municipalities between Stratford, Monroe, Ridgefield, and Norwalk, Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County gives life to the important Jewish tradition of uniting the community to meet the needs of our extended family at home, in Israel and around the world. For more information: jewishphilanthropyct.org

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