Wisconsin Jewish Food Fest To Feature International Dishes, Entertainment

The Jewish Food Festival is an annual event that takes place at Rotary Park in Mequon, WI, with the goal of bringing people together to celebrate Jewish culture and cuisine. The festival features a wide variety of traditional Jewish foods, including matzo ball soup, knishes, hot dogs, and classic pastrami sandwiches. 

There are also educational activities, performances, booths, throughout the event, such as face painting, challah braiding, and a petting zoo with goats, sheep, and ducks for kids to interact with. In addition to the food and activities, the festival includes live Jewish music performances by a lineup of bands, adding to the festive atmosphere. 

With around 7,000 people attending the event, it provides an opportunity for people in the neighborhood to connect and learn more about Jewish culture and life.”Overall, the Jewish Food Festival is a fun and educational event that celebrates the rich traditions and delicious cuisine of the Jewish people,” said a report on the Mtchamber website.

What began as a rabbi and his wife offering a “Taste of Kosher” at local supermarkets has now grown to an annual gathering that last year drew as many as 6,000 people.

The fifth annual Jewish Food Festival will take place on Aug. 6-7 at the Rotary Park in Mequon, Wis., led by Rabbi Moshe and Chaya Sheina Luchins of the Peltz Center for Jewish Life (Chabad of Mequon, a division of Lubavitch). It will feature a range of international dishes, including those from Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

“A lot of our foods were picked up from the different countries we were living in,” said the Rabbi when he was asked what makes food Jewish, referring to the range of nations associated with Diaspora Jewry.

Alongside falafel and shawarma, other foods on sale (most for less than $20, according to the rabbi) will include matzah-ball soup, and New York-style corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. All meat will be glatt kosher with a booth featuring pareve desserts.

The festival will also offer other activities, including a new, interactive replica likens to “Fiddler on the Roof,” saying: “There are so many things we do to this day in Jewish life that have not changed, and we’re recreating that in this environment.” said shteti Luchins

Opportunities will also be available to make candles and even matzah. Entertainment includes live music, magic shows, artists and face-painting.

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate

Edited by Eunice Anyango Oyule and Judy J. Rotich