Celebrating “A Taste of Israel” 2nd Annual Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival highlights the country’s cuisine, agriculture, and innovations
Cooking demonstrations, food- and wine-tastings, workshops on Israeli innovations, kids’ activities, and a first-ever area Hebrew Book Fest
All that and much more will be on offer at A Taste of Israel, the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy’s 2nd annual Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival on Sunday, June 10 from 1 – 6 p.m. at Temple Israel in Westport.
At the center of the festival is renowned Israeli chef Nir Mesika of Timna restaurant in Manhattan, named Best New Restaurant by USA Today in 2015. Tracing his ancestry to Egypt and Morocco, Mesika is known for modern Israeli cooking rooted in the traditions of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. He will explore the unique multicultural dimensions of Israeli cuisine in a keynote address and a cooking demo.
The day also features a first-ever Connecticut Hebrew Book Fest sponsored by Israelis-in-CT, a literary celebration inspired by the annual Hebrew Book Week in Israel. Visitors can browse and purchase Hebrew books and enjoy breakout sessions on Hebrew literature and special bilingual storytimes for children.
The food festival offers more kids’ activities, including a hands-on Israeli cooking demo and a PJ Library storytime and craft project with Leslie Kimmelman, author of Everybody Says Shalom.
The event is the brainchild of Federation CEO David Weisberg, who launched the annual event last June as a way to bring the community together around a shared interest in food and Jewish values. The idea struck a chord, and hundreds of attendees of all ages convened to enjoy the inaugural event. This year's festival promises to be even more engaging.
“For many in our Jewish family, there are few greater passions than Israel and food,” says Weisberg. “The opportunity to turn our second annual Food Festival into a celebration of Israeli cuisine and agriculture was too good an opportunity to pass up. I’m hoping that folks from throughout the community and beyond join us for this very special event coinciding with Israel’s 70th birthday year.”
Inaugural Food Festival chair Elise Meyer is at the helm again this year, infusing the event with her passion and expertise as an organic gardener and blogger at MuchAdoAboutStuffing.com. “We are excited to build upon the success of last year’s festival, she said. “Having a top New York City Israeli chef as our keynote guest will add so much to our already full program of breakouts and food demos. This will be a great day to celebrate Israel!”
The innovative community festival will feature a diverse array of activities, including workshops on topics from food justice and sustainable agricultural practices to global Jewish culinary traditions, an exhibit hall and, of course, delicious and authentic Israeli food for purchase. Young artists (under age 18) are invited to enter the Taste of Israel art contest, to be exhibited and judged at the festival. Honoring the Jewish value of responsible land-stewardship, the festival is a zero-waste event, utilizing bins for recyclables and compostables.
Celebrating “A Taste of Israel”
2nd Annual Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival highlights the country’s foodcuisine, agriculture, and innovations
Cooking demonstrations, food- and wine-tastings, workshops on Israeli innovations, kids’ activities, and a first-ever area Hebrew Book Fest…
All that and much more will be on offer at A Taste of Israel, the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy’s 2nd annual Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival,Bringing Together Modern Values and Traditional Flavors on Sunday, June 10 from 1 – 6 p.m. at Temple Israel in Westport.
At the center of the festival is renowned Israeli chef Nir Mesika of Timna restaurant in Manhattan, named Best New Restaurant by USA Today in 2015. Tracing his ancestry to Egypt and Morocco, Mesika is known for modern Israeli cooking rooted in the traditions of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. He who will explore the unique multicultural dimensions of Israeli cuisine in a keynote address and a cooking demo.
Tracing his ancestry to Egypt and Morocco, Mesika is known for modern Israeli cooking rooted in the traditions of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Mesika’s Timna was name best new restaurant by USA TODAY in 2015.The day also features a first-ever Connecticut Hebrew Book Fest sponsored by Israelis-in-CT, a literary celebration inspired by the annual Hebrew Book Week in Israel. Visitors can browse and purchase Hebrew books and enjoy breakout sessions on Hebrew literature and special bilingual storytimes for children.
The food festival offers more kids’ activities, including a hands-on Israeli cooking demo and a PJ Library storytime and craft project with Leslie Kimmelman, author of Everybody Says Shalom.
The event is the brainchild of Federation CEO David Weisberg, who launched the annual event last June as a way to bring the community together around a shared interest in food and Jewish values. The idea struck a chord, and hundreds of attendees of all ages convened to enjoy the inaugural event. This year's festival promises to be even more engaging.
“For many in our Jewish family, there are few greater passions than Israel and food,” says Weisberg. “The opportunity to turn our second annual Food Festival into a celebration of Israeli cuisine and agriculture was too good an opportunity to pass up. I’m hoping that folks from throughout the community and beyond join us for this very special event coinciding with Israel’s 70th birthday year.”
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Inaugural Food Festival chair Elise Meyer is at the helm again this year, infusing the event with her passion and expertise as an organic gardener and blogger at MuchAdoAboutStuffing.com. “We are excited to build upon the success of last year’s festival, she said. “Having a top New York City Israeli chef as our keynote guest will add so much to our already full program of breakouts and food demos. This will be a great day to celebrate Israel!”
The innovative community festival will feature a diverse array of activities, including workshops on topics from food justice and sustainable agricultural practices to global Jewish culinary traditions, an exhibit hall and, of course, delicious and authentic Israeli food for purchase. Young artists (under age 18) are invited to enter the Taste of Israel art contest, to be exhibited and judged at the festival. Honoring the Jewish value of responsible land-stewardship, the festival is a zero-waste event, utilizing bins for recyclables and compostables.
Tickets will be available at the event, but early registration will guarantee a lower entry fee and spots in paceforwhat are certain to be crowded breakout sessions. Volunteers will receive one free ticket.
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A Taste of Israel - Federation for Jewish Philanthropy’s 2nd Annual Southern Connecticut Jewish Food Festival: Sunday, June 10, 1 - 6 p.m., held at Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road, Westport | Tickets – Advance: $5/adult, $20/family of 5; Day of event: $10/adult; $30/family of 5 | Info, preregistration, young artists’ competition, and volunteer signup: (203) 226-8197 / shalomct.org/foodfestival
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