Temple Sinai serves up traditional dishes at 9th annual Jewish Food Festival

The event brought thousands of people to the temple on Jan. 15.

  • By Katie Johns
  • | 4:17 p.m. January 15, 2017
  • Sarasota
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From pastrami to kugel, the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival had it all.

The event brought thousands of people to Temple Sinai on Jan. 15. Attendees dined on traditional Jewish dishes, such as brisket, falafel and corned beef, all of which were made by temple members. Rabbi Michael Churgel said the cooking for the event begins months in advance.

The event is completely run by volunteers of the temple. Temple Sinai chazzan Cliff Abramson said that throughout his time at the temple he has seen some kids grow up and become the adults running the show. For Abramson and Churgel, it’s an opportunity for them to mingle with members and friends of the temple and of course, enjoy traditional bites.

“Who doesn’t like food? So, people are happy,” Rabbi Michael Churgel said.

Hamentashen and other baked goods were available at the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival.
Hamentashen and other baked goods were available at the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival.
Elaine Gast, Jason Katz and Jean Danoff
Elaine Gast, Jason Katz and Jean Danoff
Sam Smith, 9, Dan Hess, Sarah Smith, 7, and Jeff Smith
Sam Smith, 9, Dan Hess, Sarah Smith, 7, and Jeff Smith
Saville Pelmont ladles soup into a bowl during the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival.
Saville Pelmont ladles soup into a bowl during the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival.
Patty Glan and Margo Friedman
Patty Glan and Margo Friedman
Rabbi Michael Churgel and chazzan Cliff Abramson
Rabbi Michael Churgel and chazzan Cliff Abramson
April Guttman, 13, and Janet Moses
April Guttman, 13, and Janet Moses
T.J. Miller was one of many volunteers who helped serve food during the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival.
T.J. Miller was one of many volunteers who helped serve food during the 9th annual Jewish Food Festival.
Irwin Livon, Jan Joseph and Toniet Wolfson make pastrami sandwiches during the Jewish Food Festival.
Irwin Livon, Jan Joseph and Toniet Wolfson make pastrami sandwiches during the Jewish Food Festival.
Barbara and Joe Sander
Barbara and Joe Sander
Along with corned beef, pastrami, fruit kugel and other Jewish foods, baked goods were a popular commodity during the festival.
Along with corned beef, pastrami, fruit kugel and other Jewish foods, baked goods were a popular commodity during the festival.
Fred Gorin and Nancy Plotkin
Fred Gorin and Nancy Plotkin
Irene Hyman hands Barbara Chertok a plate of baked goods. All the baked goods and other food offered at the festival were made by members of Temple Sinai.
Irene Hyman hands Barbara Chertok a plate of baked goods. All the baked goods and other food offered at the festival were made by members of Temple Sinai.
Katie Armstrong, 11, helps hand out baked goods at the festival.
Katie Armstrong, 11, helps hand out baked goods at the festival.
Andrew, Lila and Jeanne Marlowe
Andrew, Lila and Jeanne Marlowe
Pastrami sandwiches were one of the many traditional Jewish dishes available at the festival. All the food for the event was homemade.
Pastrami sandwiches were one of the many traditional Jewish dishes available at the festival. All the food for the event was homemade.

 

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