
As we hope you’ve heard by now, this year’s Jewish Food and Culture Fest is coming up on Sunday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) — making this final week before the event a real time-cruncher. If you were to visit The J this week, you might notice some items we’ve been preparing and stockpiling in preparation for a visit by 2,000 of our closest friends and neighbors.
Head toward the kitchen — the epicenter of Food Fest preparations — and you’ll find well-organized stacks of plates and other serviceware for serving tangy brisket, plump cabbage rolls, giant corned beef sandwiches, and so much more. But there’s one thing you won’t see at this year’s event: Styrofoam, a commonly used food packaging material that is toxic to human health and the environment.
“Over the past year we’ve taken a closer look at our overall environmental footprint here at The J and realized that we can do better,” says Executive Director Brooke Bowles. “So we’re making changes when and where we’re able. Eliminating Styrofoam from the Food Fest turned out to be a pretty easy step in the right direction.” And who knows — the food might very well taste even better because of it.
Celebrating 75 years of Israeli culture
With this year marking the 75th Yom Ha’Atzmaut, or anniversary of the founding of Israel, we will host a special birthday party at 11:30 a.m. with lots of funfetti-flavored cake and a rendition of Israel’s national anthem by students from the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School.
In addition — thanks to a grant from the Birmingham Jewish Foundation — our numerous guests will be able to peruse our recreated Israeli shuk, or open-air market, where folks will be able to browse and sample a variety of nuts, dried fruits, and spices, and collect cards featuring delicious recipes along with other Israeli mementos.
Other cultural happenings will include live music by the ever-popular Sheldon Sokol plus a demonstration of Krav Maga, the distinctly Israeli martial art.
Activities for kids will include bounce houses, a balloon artist, and a variety of crafts.
While admission to the Jewish Food and Culture Fest is free, guests will need to purchase our delicious food and beverages. Can’t make it to the event? Pre-order select items by Friday for Sunday pick-up.