Food has the power to bring people together, and sharing the food of a culture with others can make that power mean even greater. 

On Sunday, April 2 the fourth annual Jewish Food Festival took place at the Temple Emanu-El and was hosted by the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El. Full Moon Bar-B-Que, Publix, Summersell Center for the Study of the South, Bloom Hillel Student Center and Big Daddy’s were sponsors. Lunch boxes and sampler dishes were served as a way to expose visitors to Jewish cuisine. Several options including a brisket platter, Mediterranean sandwich box and deli sandwich box were offered. 

In a separate room, the sampler dishes like matzo ball soup, bagels and schmear, blintzes, hamantaschen, baklava, stuffed grape leaves and noodle kugel were hand-made. This year’s Festival provided an opportunity for the Sisterhood to participate in community outreach with the wider Tuscaloosa community and fundraise for the Temple.

The matzo ball soup was a big hit, and it quickly became the favorite dish of a number of visitors. 

“All of the food was excellent,” said Erin Hildebrand, a graduate student at the University of Alabama. “I guess I would have to say the soup was my favorite, though.” 

Along with the matzo ball soup, the brisket platter and blintzes, both of which sold out within an hour, were the preferred dishes among the crowd. 

“The knish was also really good,” said Courtney Parker, a graduate student at the University of Alabama. 

In addition to serving Jewish dishes, the Festival also had a goodies table set up in the dining area. The table provided a range of items, including more food, jewelry and hats. Kim Linetsky, who has been a member of Temple Emanu-El for three years, was volunteering at the table. 

“We have had different things at the table over the years, but we mostly just have food,” said Linetsky. “But this is the first year we’ve had jewelry at the table.” 

The necklaces showcased Jewish symbols such as the Star of David and the Mezuzah, which gave some visitors a chance to learn more about the Jewish faith. 

“You’ll see the Mezuzah hanging on the doors of the Temple,” said Linetsky.