Sarasota Jewish Food Fest returns after pandemic hiatus

Knishes, blintzes, matzo ball soup and more homemade dishes tantalized visitors to this year's Sarasota Jewish Food Festival.

Temple Sinai invited the Sarasota community to celebrate its 15th annual Sarasota Jewish Food Festival on Jan 29. After its last festival that was held in 2020, Temple Sinai members made their comeback year with a variety of traditional Jewish dishes.

“Since we were not able to hold the Food Festival during the pandemic, we are especially  excited to welcome the community back to celebrate great Jewish food and culture,” said Andrea Eiffert, the director of communications and programming, in a press release.

Attendees enjoyed a selection of traditional homemade Jewish delicacies as they shopped for donated pieces and those made, again by hand, by craft and jewelry vendors.

“We are the only Jewish food festival in the community. All of our food is made by our congregations, except for our meats,” said Temple Sinai and Sarasota Jewish Food Festival Chair Patty Glah. “This is one of the major fundraisers that we have (at Temple Sinai).”